SAN DIEGO -- A Northern California firefighter was killed and three of his colleagues were hurt Wednesday afternoon while battling the Cedar Fire near Julian.

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Firefighters Killed, Injured Battling Cedar Fire

The victims, all with the Novato Fire Protection District, were overrun by towering flames as they tried to protect a home on Orchard Lane near Wynola, north of the former mining town, said CDF Chief John Hawkins.

Steve Rucker, a 38-year-old father of two who held the rank of engineer, was the first firefighter killed as a result of the wildfires raging in five Southern California counties.

Rucker likely suffocated from superheated air that seared his lungs.

Rucker leaves his 35-year-old wife, Catherine, their daughter Kerstin, 8, and their 3-year-old son, Wesley.

Novato fire Capt. Doug McDonald, who was burned over 18 percent of his body, remained hospitalized Thursday in critical condition at the UCSD Burn Center, but was expected to recover, Hawkins said.

Engineer Shawn Kreps and firefighter/paramedic Barrett Smith were treated for multiple second-degree burns and were released.