A helicopter assisting in battling a large wildfire in Utah crashed on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The helicopter was part of a fleet of seven aircraft working on a fire in central Utah that was ignited by lightning on July 27. The blaze had expanded to 165 square miles and was 19% contained by Friday.
Crash Details
The FAA confirmed the helicopter went down in Richfield, approximately 160 miles south of Salt Lake City. The conditions of the two individuals aboard the aircraft were not immediately known.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA will launch an investigation, but they may not be able to safely access the site right away if the wildfire is still burning nearby, as reported by the Associated Press.
Firefighting Challenges
Crews battling the fire on Friday encountered erratic winds, dry fuels, and high temperatures, along with the potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning. Red Flag warnings were in effect.
This incident follows the deaths of four firefighters in Colorado in June, who were overwhelmed by a fast-moving wildfire near the Utah border.
