Officials release names of three firefighters killed in Colorado wildfire
✓The US Department of Interior on Monday released the names of three firefighters who were killed while working to contain wildfires along the Utah-Colorado border.
Two other firefighters who were part of the specialized helicopter-deployed crew were also injured in the blaze, although authorities did not identify them.
Thirty-eight-year-old Emily Barker of Michigan, 27-year-old Nick Hutcherson of Arizona and 27-year-old Sydney Watson of Alabama were killed on Saturday as they fought the Knowles fire in western Colorado. The crew attempted to use tent-like shelters to guard themselves from the fires but were overcome, according to the Associated Press.
Thousands of firefighters have been deployed across western US states and Alaska to fight a series of wildfires this month, which have spread as dry, hot weather along with high winds helped fuel their growth.
Utah’s governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency last week and a ban on personal fireworks until after the Fourth of July in response to the dangerous conditions. Colorado governor Jared Polis on Saturday announced a similar state of emergency.
The three firefighters killed over the weekend were part of a Helitack crew that provides rapid response to wildfires, often by being dropped by in remote locations that are otherwise inaccessible.
The Knowles fire they were sent to combat has merged with two other fires to form the Snyder Mesa fire, which the Colorado governor’s office estimates has burned over 28,000 acres.
Governor Polis issued a statement on Sunday mourning the deaths of Barker, Hutcherson and Watson, and said that the state is working with the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado national guard and other officials to fight the fires and recover their bodies.
“The men and women who serve on the front lines of these fires risk their lives to keep us safe and to protect the lands and communities we love,” Polis said. “To the loved ones of those lost, and to their fellow crew members – some who are still battling the flames – know that the state of Colorado mourns alongside you.”
Several other politicians and agencies also issued statements, including Cox and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Department of Interior also announced that it had mobilized a “serious accident investigation team” to review the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“This is an incredibly difficult moment for the entire wildland fire community,” Forest Service deputy chief Sarah Fisher said in a statement. “Our heavy hearts are with the families during this unimaginable time. We recognize the tremendous impact this loss has on them and are deeply grateful for the devotion their loved ones brought to our organizations.”
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
The US Department of Interior released the names on Monday of three firefighters killed on Saturday while battling the Knowles fire along the Utah-Colorado border. Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson were part of a Helitack crew—a specialized unit deployed by helicopter to remote fire locations. Two other crew members were injured. The crew used tent-like shelters for protection but were overcome. The Knowles fire has since merged with two other fires to form the Snyder Mesa fire, which has burned over 28,000 acres. Thousands of firefighters are currently deployed across western US states and Alaska as wildfires spread amid dry conditions and high winds. Utah's governor declared a state of emergency and banned personal fireworks through July 4th; Colorado's governor issued a similar emergency declaration. Federal investigators have opened a serious accident investigation team to review the circumstances. State and federal officials including both governors and the Forest Service deputy chief issued statements acknowledging the loss.
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
The US Department of Interior on Monday released the names of three firefighters who were killed while working to contain wildfires along the Utah-Colorado border.
Two other firefighters who were part of the specialized helicopter-deployed crew were also injured in the blaze, although authorities did not identify them.
Thirty-eight-year-old Emily Barker of Michigan, 27-year-old Nick Hutcherson of Arizona and 27-year-old Sydney Watson of Alabama were killed on Saturday as they fought the Knowles fire in western Colorado. The crew attempted to use tent-like shelters to guard themselves from the fires but were overcome, according to the Associated Press.
Thousands of firefighters have been deployed across western US states and Alaska to fight a series of wildfires this month, which have spread as dry, hot weather along with high winds helped fuel their growth.
Utah’s governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency last week and a ban on personal fireworks until after the Fourth of July in response to the dangerous conditions. Colorado governor Jared Polis on Saturday announced a similar state of emergency.
The three firefighters killed over the weekend were part of a Helitack crew that provides rapid response to wildfires, often by being dropped by in remote locations that are otherwise inaccessible.
The Knowles fire they were sent to combat has merged with two other fires to form the Snyder Mesa fire, which the Colorado governor’s office estimates has burned over 28,000 acres.
Governor Polis issued a statement on Sunday mourning the deaths of Barker, Hutcherson and Watson, and said that the state is working with the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado national guard and other officials to fight the fires and recover their bodies.
“The men and women who serve on the front lines of these fires risk their lives to keep us safe and to protect the lands and communities we love,” Polis said. “To the loved ones of those lost, and to their fellow crew members – some who are still battling the flames – know that the state of Colorado mourns alongside you.”
Several other politicians and agencies also issued statements, including Cox and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Department of Interior also announced that it had mobilized a “serious accident investigation team” to review the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“This is an incredibly difficult moment for the entire wildland fire community,” Forest Service deputy chief Sarah Fisher said in a statement. “Our heavy hearts are with the families during this unimaginable time. We recognize the tremendous impact this loss has on them and are deeply grateful for the devotion their loved ones brought to our organizations.”
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
Three firefighters—Emily Barker (38, Michigan), Nick Hutcherson (27, Arizona), and Sydney Watson (27, Alabama)—were killed on Saturday while fighting the Knowles fire in western Colorado The crew was part of a specialized Helitack unit that provides rapid response to wildfires by helicopter deployment to remote locations Two other firefighters from the same crew were also injured The crew attempted to use tent-like shelters to protect themselves from the fire but were overcome The Knowles fire merged with two other fires to form the Snyder Mesa fire, which burned over 28,000 acres Thousands of firefighters have been deployed across western US states and Alaska to fight wildfires this month Dry, hot weather and high winds fueled the growth of the wildfires Utah's governor declared a state of emergency and banned personal fireworks until after July 4th in response to dangerous conditions Colorado's governor announced a similar state of emergency on Saturday The US Department of Interior launched a serious accident investigation team to review the circumstances of the incident The men and women who serve on the front lines of these fires risk their lives to keep communities safe and protect lands The loss has tremendous impact on the families and represents an unimaginable time for the wildland fire community
Read the full story at BBC ↗ · The Guardian ↗
- Three firefighters—Emily Barker (38, Michigan), Nick Hutcherson (27, Arizona), and Sydney Watson (27, Alabama)—were killed on Saturday while fighting the Knowles fire in western Colorado
- The crew, part of a specialized Helitack unit, attempted to use tent-like shelters but were overcome by flames; two other crew members were injured
- The Knowles fire has merged with two others to form the Snyder Mesa fire, which has burned over 28,000 acres; thousands of firefighters are deployed across western US states and Alaska
- Utah and Colorado governors declared states of emergency in response to dangerous wildfire conditions fueled by dry heat and high winds
- Federal authorities have launched an investigation into the incident; multiple state and federal officials issued statements mourning the deaths