A pilot and a crew member were killed when a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane firefighting helicopter crashed near Richfield, Utah, while battling the Widemouth 2 wildfire. The aircraft went down at about 10am local time on Friday near the Three Creeks Reservoir area, southwest of the city and close to the fire’s southeastern edge.
The National Interagency Fire Center confirmed the deaths on Saturday, more than 24 hours after the crash. The bodies were recovered after extreme fire conditions and steep terrain delayed rescue teams, while the names of the deceased remained unreleased.
At a glance:
- The helicopter was operated by Helicopter Transport Services under contract with the United States Forest Service.
- The Widemouth 2 fire had burned more than 111,000 acres, or 45,000 hectares, and was 24 percent contained on Saturday.
- The fire began with a lightning strike in Fishlake National Forest on July 27.
- Evacuations and road closures were in place in the area.
Crash response and firefighting operations
The NIFC said the two crew members were “fatally injured” and expressed condolences to their friends and families. Extreme fire behaviour and steep terrain prevented rescue teams from reaching the wreckage immediately.
Deputy incident commander Tyler Hecht said crews took a “tactical pause” to regroup after the crash before resuming firefighting. He said aircraft would continue supporting firefighters on the ground.
Widemouth 2 fire threatens nearby communities
The fire has burned more than 111,000 acres and was listed at 24 percent containment on Saturday. Officials reported crowning and long-range spotting, conditions that continued to threaten nearby communities.
The NIFC issued evacuations for residents in the area and imposed road closures. The fire is on pace to become Utah’s largest wildfire this year.
Second fatal wildfire incident in Utah this summer
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described wildland firefighting as among the most dangerous jobs in the world and asked residents to keep the crew in their prayers. The Utah Highway Patrol organised a procession on Saturday evening to escort the remains.
The crash is Utah’s second fatal wildfire incident this summer. Three firefighters died in June while battling the Knowles and Gore fires near the Colorado border, and a fourth later died from injuries sustained in that incident.
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