A pilot has been killed after their aircraft crashed while fighting a wildfire in Colorado, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred on July 14, 2026, during efforts to contain the Johnson Creek fire near the town of Craig in Moffat County.
Details of the Crash
The pilot was the sole occupant of the single-engine air tanker that went down around 2 p.m. local time. The aircraft was dropping fire retardant on the blaze when it crashed in a remote, rugged area. Emergency responders located the wreckage later that afternoon, but the pilot was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the pilot was an experienced aerial firefighter who had been flying for over 20 years. The agency has not released the pilot's name pending notification of next of kin.
Ongoing Wildfire Efforts
The Johnson Creek fire, which started on July 12, has burned more than 15,000 acres and is 0% contained as of July 14. Strong winds and dry conditions have hampered firefighting efforts. Over 300 firefighters are on the ground, supported by helicopters and air tankers. The crash has temporarily grounded all aerial firefighting operations for the Johnson Creek fire as investigators examine the scene.
“This is a tragic loss for the firefighting community,” said Moffat County Sheriff Tim Jantz. “Our hearts go out to the pilot’s family and colleagues.”
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the crash. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days. The aircraft involved has been identified as a 1985 Air Tractor AT-802, a single-engine agricultural aircraft commonly used for firefighting.
This marks the first firefighting aviation fatality in Colorado since 2019, when a helicopter crash during a training exercise killed two people. The Johnson Creek fire is one of several active wildfires in the western United States, fueled by a prolonged drought and record heat.
