A helicopter assisting in fighting a major wildfire in Utah crashed on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft was one of seven deployed to combat the blaze in central Utah, which was sparked by lightning on July 27. By Friday, the fire had spread across 165 square miles and was 19% contained.
Crash Details
The FAA confirmed the helicopter went down in Richfield, about 160 miles south of Salt Lake City. The status of the two people on board was not immediately known.
Both the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA will investigate the crash, though reaching the site may be difficult if the wildfire continues burning nearby, according to AP reports.
Firefighting Conditions
Crews battling the fire on Friday faced unpredictable winds, dry vegetation, and scorching temperatures, along with the threat of dry thunderstorms and lightning. Red Flag warnings remained in effect.
This incident follows the deaths of four firefighters in Colorado who were overtaken by a rapidly spreading wildfire near the Utah border in June.
