CFS Wilmington volunteer Michael Wigg on the road to recovery after fighting fire

Wilmington local Michael Wigg was helping out his local community battle a dangerous blaze when he fell victim to the fire’s fury.

Michael Wigg recovering in hospital after being injured fighting the Wilmington Fire, taken on February 6. Picture: Wilmington Country Fire Service

A volunteer firefighter who was severely injured while battling a blaze at Wilmington in the Mid North is back on his feet and on the road to recovery, after undergoing surgery on Monday.

Wilmington local Michael Wigg was part of the initial response unit that attended the fire on Monday last week.

It was not long before he suffered major burns.

After spending an evening in the Port Augusta Hotel, Mr Wigg was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital where he has undergone treatment and surgery. With burns to 30 per cent of his body, Mr Wigg needed skin grafts.

Michael Wigg recovering in hospital after being injured fighting the Wilmington Fire, taken on February 9. Picture: Wilmington Country Fire Service

The Wilmington CFS on Tuesday afternoon shared a message from Mr Wigg, which was dated February 6.

“Greetings everyone from the burns ward at the RAH ... getting the best treatment possible after my mishap,” it said.

“We’re so privileged to be part of the Wilmington community, and our wider network of family and friends.

“As my treatment progresses, my prognosis improves. After initial surgery to clean up [and] dress my burns (then estimated up to 30 per cent); and a dressing change and review this morning, about 10 per cent is considered deep enough to require skin grafts next Monday (February 10) ... on my back, upper arms and legs.

“Pain management is going well. I can lay on my back and get a reasonable night’s sleep.

“My good health and fitness augers well for recovery, but my body has certainly taken a hiding! CFS have provided (my wife) Anne with accommodation near the RAH.”

Wilmington Fire. Picture: Wilmington Country Fire Service

Mr Wigg’s wife thanked everyone in the Wilmington community for their “love, care and prayers”. After the surgery, CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin on Tuesday said Mr Wigg was recovering well and that he congratulated the “incredible superhero efforts” of firefighters.

“At this point our focus is on their recovery … and I know that he’s incredibly grateful for the broad community support,” Mr Loughlin said.

The Wilmington fire is still burning more than a week after it started.

More than 4600ha has burned in the Mount Remarkable National Park, though no significant infrastructure has been damaged.

With temperatures set to soar into the 40s on Wednesday, Mr Loughlin said CFS crews had been working for a week to prepare the fireground for the extreme weather.

“I am concerned ... that this weather will challenge the work that has been done and could see this fire unfortunately get out of the containment lines,” he said.

Mr Loughlin said if that happened, the fire could spread further into the national park or onto private properties.

Originally published as CFS Wilmington volunteer Michael Wigg on the road to recovery after fighting fire