A community is in mourning and churches are asking for prayers for family after the death of a wildland firefighter this week.

On Monday, July 11, Tyler Riley Manych of The Pas, Man., was injured in an ATV accident during a training exercise according to reports from the Thompson Professional Firefighters Association. Manych succumbed to his injuries the following day.

The province confirmed the firefighter was training with the Manitoba Wildfire Service, and an investigation into the accident is underway.

"My son was a hero, he was never scared to jump in and save a life," Manych's mother, Candy Jones, says in a social media post. Jones says that a candlelight vigil was being held at The Pas Fire Department last night, where Manych was also a member.

"My heart is absolutely broken right now … my baby … he is so loved and so cherished by so many," Jones writes. "I don’t know how I’ll make it through the coming moments or days … my worst nightmare is now my reality." She asks people that couldn't be at the vigil to turn their porch lights on in Manych's honour.

Churches in The Pas had been rallying congregants to prayer early this week as news of his injuries spread. Now, they're asking people to pray for grieving family and friends.

"To All our church family near and far…please keep the Manych Family in our prayers. May The Lord comfort each one and strengthen them in this time of sorrow," Pastor Jason Foster of The Pas Christian Fellowship writes to his congregants.