A helicopter assisting in battling a large wildfire in Utah crashed on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft was one of seven working on a fire in central Utah that was sparked by lightning on July 27. The blaze had grown to 165 square miles and was 19% contained by Friday.
Crash Details
The FAA confirmed that the helicopter went down in Richfield, approximately 160 miles south of Salt Lake City. The conditions of the two individuals on board were not immediately known.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will investigate the incident, but they may not be able to safely reach the scene immediately if the wildfire is burning nearby, as reported by AP.
Firefighting Efforts
Crews battling the fire on Friday encountered erratic winds, dry fuels, and hot temperatures, along with the potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning. Red Flag warnings were in effect.
The fire, located on the Fishlake National Forest near the small community of Kanosh, Utah, had grown to 165 square miles and was 19% contained by Friday morning. More than 600 firefighting personnel are tackling the blaze, which has triggered evacuations and destroyed at least six structures as it burns through timber, brush, and grass.
Regional Context
Months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells, and erratic winds have contributed to wildfires in Utah and other parts of the West.
This incident follows a tragedy in June when four firefighters were killed and another injured in Colorado after being overcome by a fast-moving wildfire near the Utah border.
