KAMIAH— After 6 surgeries and 16 months – 492days – of rehabilitation in a hospital or care facility, Forest Service wildland firefighter Justin Shaw is finally back home in Idaho. Shaw was severely injured on August 10, 2024, when he was struck by a tree during initial attack operations on a wildfire on the Salmon River Ranger District. He has been recovering ever since, and Monday December 15, 2025, marked the first time he has been home since the accident occurred.
Family, friends, and fellow firefighters gathered at Boise Airport to welcome Justin back as he embarks on the next steps of his on-going recovery. The Boise Fire and Police Departments also attended providing an official escort from the airport terminal to the Shaw family’s home in Boise. The turnout offered a fitting homecoming for an injured firefighter who has not slept in his own bed for over a year.
“We would like to sincerely thank the Boise Fire and Police Departments for providing the official escort and procession for Justin and his family, especially Brian Veseth of the Boise Fire Department for organizing and coordinating the homecoming event,” said Jonathan Word, forest supervisor for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests…