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Three federal wildland firefighters have died while battling fast-moving wildfires in Utah and Colorado. Two others were injured as crews encountered a evolving blaze cluster near the Utah–Colorado line. The incidents revive scrutiny of a new Wildland Fire Service and a push for full suppression, drawing in resources from multiple Interior Department agencies.
The Gunnison County sheriff’s office says the pilot assisting firefighters with the Gold Mountain Fire has been found dead in Silver Jack Reservoir. The blaze covers about 57 square miles and remains only 13% contained. Investigators have asked the FAA for more details as authorities press on with firefighting efforts amid extreme fire weather.
A firefighter from Lincoln, Nebraska has died after a June burnover in Mesa County, Colorado. Three others died at the scene earlier this month, bringing Colorado’s wildfire fatalities to five this year. Officials say the western U.S. continues to contend with dozen large fires amid dry weather and erratic winds.