Baker County woman burned in Halloween accident

A Baker County woman who suffered severe burns in a Halloween night accident, just two days after she was married, was scheduled to undergo skin grafts today at a Portland burn center.

Heather Hunt, 34, of Pleasant Valley, was working over a woodstove in Baker City, using the heat to make ear forms for a taxidermy project.

The long, flowing skirt she was wearing as part of a gypsy costume caught on fire and Hunt was burned.

She sought help from a family friend who has a background in emergency care because Hunt didn’t initially realize how severe her injuries were, said Hunt’s mother, Cindy Frazier.

The friend determined that Hunt needed emergency care, however, and called 911.

Hunt eventually was taken by plane to Legacy Emanuel Hospital and Health Center in Portland. She was in serious condition this morning, according to the hospital’s patient condition report.

Frazier said Thursday that her daughter is in “good spirits” despite her injuries, which include burns on one hand as well as her waist on down to her feet, both front and back.

“She’s a tough, strong woman,” her mother said.

Heather was married to Steve Hunt two days before Halloween in a small ceremony. He is in Portland with his wife.

“Poor guy. He hasn’t left her side,” Frazier said.

The marriage created a blended family with five children between the ages of 6 and 10 who are often all together. That was the case on Monday night. Hunt was trying to squeeze in some work before taking the kids out to celebrate Halloween.

“The kids saw it all happen, they saw the ambulance take her away and then had adults tell them she’d be ‘away for a while.’ It all had to be pretty scary for them,” Frazier said.

The children are in the care of relatives until Steve Hunt is able to return home to be with them. Doctors expect Hunt will be in the Portland hospital for four to six weeks.

“The kids miss her like crazy. They are her world,” Frazier said. “She’s quite the mommy.”

The children are too young to visit their mother while she’s in the burn unit.

The Hunts hope the children can visit her soon, though, after she’s moved to a recovery room. They have been able to speak to Hunt by telephone, which has somewhat eased their worries, Frazier said.

Steve relocated to Baker County from Lostine and is between jobs, so the accident couldn’t have happened at a worse time, as Heather lacks health insurance.

Friends have set up an account to help the couple financially.

The account is at Old West Federal Credit Union in Baker City. Checks should be made out to “Steve OR Heather Hunt” and can either be mailed or dropped off. The branch is at 2036 Broadway St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Friends also plan to place donation jars at various local businesses, said Amy Jones, a family friend. That money either will be given directly to the family or deposited into the Old West account.

“We are asking the giving and generous members of the Baker Community to rally around this family and donate,” Jones said.