U.S. Border Patrol agent saves man from brush fire

Mar. 31—PORTAL, N.D. — A U.S. Border Patrol agent from the Grand Forks sector saved a man from a brush fire near the Short Creek Recreation Area along the international border with Canada late last week.

At approximately 2 p.m., Friday, March 26, an agent assigned to the Portal Station was on patrol and witnessed smoke rising near the U.S./Canada border, according to a news release from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. As the agent approached the area to investigate, he noticed it was a brush fire. He then observed a vehicle driving around the flames, eventually catching fire.

The agent immediately responded to assist while contacting Grand Forks Sector Dispatch to request that local fire departments be dispatched to the area, the release said.

As the agent got closer, he noticed the driver exit the burning vehicle. Unable to travel directly toward the man due to heavy smoke and the terrain, the agent drove upwind of the flames, which were approximately 4 feet high.

The agent was then able to get around the flames and reach the man, who was running from the encroaching fire. The man entered the agent's vehicle and they drove to a safe distance from the fire.

"This man could have lost his life," Grand Forks Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Good said in a press release. "I'm extremely proud of our agent. He displayed great courage as he entered the area engulfed with flames to rescue someone in need."

Once they were out of harm's way, the agent began treating the man for burns that he had sustained on his body as a result of his clothing catching fire. The man's wife arrived and took him to a local hospital for further medical evaluation.