Officials identified the firefighter who died Tuesday while assigned to the Bear Trap Fire near Ely.

Leslie R. Washington, 41, of Noorvik, Alaska, died Tuesday after a medical emergency while working the Bear Trap Fire near Ely. (Contributed / U.S. Wildland Fire Service)

Leslie R. Washington, 41, of Noorvik, Alaska, died after a medical emergency, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service said in a news release Wednesday.

According to a preliminary incident report, Washington “experienced shortness of breath and chest discomfort” just before 10:40 a.m. Tuesday. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he later died, the report said.

“We are heartbroken at the loss of a wildland firefighter who died while protecting others,” U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said in the release. “We mourn alongside his families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face this profound loss.”

On Thursday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the state, beginning immediately in honor and remembrance of Washington.

“Mr. Washington’s courage, bravery, and sacrifice in service to Minnesota and his country is admirable and unparalleled,” Walz said in a news release. “Gwen and I extend our deepest gratitude to him and his crew members, and our deepest condolences to Mr. Washington’s friends, family, crew members, community, and all others who mourn his passing.”

Washington was employed by contractor S.E.S. Fire, which had sent a 20-person crew to help with the Bear Trap Fire, the company said on Facebook.

Firefighters from across the state escorted his body and lined the route from Ely to Superior on Tuesday and then from Superior to the Twin Cities on Wednesday.

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Washington also honored Washington, who was Alaska Native.

“In so many ways, we understand this loss because our Fond du Lac Band and our neighboring Tribal Nations often send our wildfire crews across the country each year, and we share in the tragedies that impact fire families and Native communities wherever they occur,” the Fond du Lac Band said in a statement.