Hero Firefighters Severely Burned in Silverado Fire, Community Organizes Blood Drive

The event will take place at OC Global Medical Center in Santa Ana on Thursday, according to Patch.

Dylan Van Iwaarden and Phi Le suffered second and third-degree burns while battling the Silverado Fire, which erupted on the morning of Oct. 26 in the Santiago Canyon, Fox Los Angeles reported. The fire was contained at 98% on Oct. 29.

“We’re very appreciative to our community members who are interested in donating blood,” OCFA Captain Daniel Yeh said, adding the drive will help the two firefighters in their recovery and the excess blood may also help those who are in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hollywood film producer Scott Budnick shared about Iwaarden and Le’s conditions last Saturday on Instagram, saying how they were both put in an induced coma and were in critical condition. Le, he said, had suffered burns on 65% of his body.

The Orange County Firefighters had also set up a GoFundMe for Le and Iwaarden, having raised over $726,000 out of its $1 million goal.

“All proceeds donated through this GoFundMe page will go directly to the Fallen Fire Fighter Relief Fund to cover costs related to burn care and family support during this difficult time,” the GoFundMe campaign read.

Iwaarden and Le were both members of the Santiago Hand Crew, which is based out of Station 18 in the Modjeska Canyon. They have been present at most of the major fire incidents in the southland in 2020. However, the team is currently off work as investigators look into what may have caused the fire.

Featured Image via scottbudnick1