Burned Firefighter Returns Home to Stillwater

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- It's been two months since wildfires took over Oklahoma and perhaps no family has felt the weight of that time more than the one of an Iowa Tribe volunteer firefighter, who suffered burns while protecting others.

He's since made an incredible recovery from the burns.

When fires spread down route 66 in Wellston, volunteer firefighter David Milby jumped on the call, but his determination to save others and their property led to danger.

He suffered burns over 26 percent of his body, many of them severe. He's been at INTEGRIS Baptist ever since, working to recover.

On Thursday, David Milby got to go to his true home, guided by his fellow Iowa Tribe firefighters who have anxiously been counting down.

Milby spent 62 long days of an intense recovery.

"He had a tube down his neck, ventilators, all the surgeries to his arm, the grafting to his face and neck," said his wife, Bonnie Milby.

For Bonnie Milby, making it to this point is a huge relief from the fear she felt back in April.

"I've been excited since I found out he was going to get to come home," Bonnie Milby said. "It's the best thing."

His friends and fellow firefighters are also excited for David Milby's return.

"He's doing real good," firefighter Jeff Bayhylle said. "He looks good. I'm kind of, I don't know, proud I guess."

Bayhylle was with David Milby that sweltering day when fire took over their truck, so seeing his recovery's been especially personal,

"It's a good day for me and I'm sure it's a good day for Milby, too," Bayhylle said.

David Milby said he's ready to get home and relax at his home in Stillwater. In spite of it all, he's hoping to return to the job as soon as he can.