Two helicopter pilots died when their aircraft crashed while fighting a wildfire in Utah, officials confirmed Saturday. The Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter went down Friday morning in the Fishlake National Forest, according to the Sevier County Sheriff.
The pilots were employed by Helicopter Transport Services, which was contracted by the US Forest Service. Officials have not released their identities at this time.
The helicopter was actively engaged in firefighting operations when the crash occurred. The impact ignited a new fire that spread to connect with the existing blaze, expanding the overall burned area to nearly 174 square miles.
This tragedy is part of a larger crisis unfolding across the western United States. Three firefighters were killed and two others injured while responding to wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border, the US Wildland Fire Service announced Sunday. The fatalities occurred during a joint response to the Knowles and Gore fires on Saturday.
"The US Wildland Fire Service stands united with the USDA Forest Service in grief and in our unwavering support for the loved ones left behind," the agency said in a statement. "Their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten."
Utah is experiencing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in recent history. The Cottonwood fire in Fishlake National Forest began Monday and had expanded to more than 92,000 acres by Saturday morning, remaining zero percent contained. Low humidity and strong winds have contributed to the rapid growth of fires across the region.
Nearly 3 million acres have burned across the country since the beginning of the year, exceeding the ten-year average. Utah has faced an especially severe threat due to its record-low snowpack and warmest winter ever recorded.
State and federal officials have declared emergencies and taken aggressive action to combat the fires. Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency due to severe fire conditions and authorized a statewide fireworks ban ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Colorado Governor Jared Polis also declared a state of emergency and approved deployment of the national guard to assist firefighting efforts.
Power shutoffs have become increasingly common throughout the western United States as wildfire danger has grown. With extreme fire conditions continuing in Utah, Rocky Mountain Power shut off electrical lines serving Beaver County and surrounding areas.
The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings across a broad section of the west, including California, Arizona and New Mexico. Experts warn that as this summer could become the hottest on record, wildfires will continue to pose a growing challenge to communities and natural resources across the region.