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Flags ordered lowered for fallen Marion County firefighter By Mail Tribune staff Updated: Feb 04, 2022 02:41 PM A A Austin Smith The governor has ordered all flags be lowered to half-staff to honor a Marion County firefighter killed earlier this week in the line of duty. Flags at all Oregon public institutions were ordered lowered to half-staff Friday in honor of St. Paul Fire District volunteer firefighter Austin Smith, who died Thursday following an explosion while working a barn fire in St. Paul, according to a release issued Friday from Gov. Kate Brown’s office. "On behalf of the State of Oregon, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Austin Smith," Gov. Brown said in a statement. "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.“ I've ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Austin Smith's honor. Firefighting is difficult, dangerous work, & we honor those who make the ultimate sacrifice to protect our communities. Dan & I are keeping Mr. Smith's family, friends, & the St. Paul community in our thoughts. https://t.co/TtnhXnjoj2 — Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) February 4, 2022 “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," the governor added. Flags are to remain lowered until sunset Saturday, Feb. 6. Smith was fatally injured while preparing for exterior defensive work at a barn fire first reported shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday in the St. Paul area, according to a post on St. Paul Fire District’s Facebook page Friday morning. “We and the community are all heartbroken over our loss,” the fire department stated.