Officials reported on Saturday the death of two helicopter pilots after a crash while they were battling a wildfire in Utah. The Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter went down on Friday morning, as confirmed by the Sevier County Sheriff. The helicopter was active in firefighting efforts in the Fishlake National Forest.
The crash led to the start of a new fire, which soon merged with the ongoing blaze. This combined fire has now burned through nearly 174 square miles (approximately 451 square kilometers). Authorities have not released the identities of the pilots but mentioned they were working for Helicopter Transport Services under contract to the U.S. Forest Service.
Initially, officials were unable to access the crash site due to the fire. However, crews managed to reach the area on Saturday, confirming the fatalities, according to the Sevier County Sheriff and Coroner. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will conduct an investigation, although it may take over a year to determine the cause.
Elsewhere in the West, several fires continue to burn. In Washington, a fire forced the closure of parts of Mount Rainier National Park. The National Park Service restricted access to the Sunrise and White River sections as a new wildfire affected less than a third of a square mile (less than a square kilometer), and firefighters worked to control it.
Near Spokane, Washington, larger fires have thus far burned more than 15.63 square miles (over 40 square kilometers). To combat these flames, firefighters have constructed over 75 miles (120 kilometers) of containment lines.
In Oregon, firefighters are dealing with a spreading fire fueled by hot and dry conditions, now extending over 30 square miles (77.7 square kilometers). Efforts focus on establishing containment lines around the Wrights Spring fire. The firefighting community is also lamenting the loss of 47-year-old Jason Ensign, who died while operating a bulldozer during the wildfire that expanded quickly and obstructed his escape route.
Additionally, in British Columbia, more than 20,000 people faced evacuation orders due to another rapidly advancing wildfire.