February 4, 2022 2:20 p.m.

Governor Kate Brown has ordered all flags at Oregon Public Institutions to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Saturday.

A release said this is in honor of St. Paul Fire District volunteer Austin Smith, who was killed on Thursday after he was critically injured while responding to a barn fire in Marion County.

Governor Brown said, “On behalf of the State of Oregon, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Austin Smith”.  Governor Brown said, “Firefighting is often difficult and dangerous work, and we honor those who make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our land, our communities and fellow Oregonians. Dan and I are keeping Mr. Smith’s family, friends, and the St. Paul community in our thoughts during this time as they mourn the loss of a dedicated community volunteer”.

Smith was 30-years old and had been a volunteer firefighter since 2015