A Utah wildfire helicopter crash occurred Friday while a heavy-lift aircraft was helping firefighters battle a growing wildfire in central Utah. Two people were aboard the helicopter when it went down near Richfield, about 160 miles south of Salt Lake City.
Officials had not reached the crash site by Friday evening because dangerous fire conditions prevented rescue teams from approaching the wreckage. Authorities also had no immediate information about the condition of the two people aboard.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Sikorsky S-64 helicopter was operating with six other aircraft when the crash occurred. The aircraft had been assisting crews fighting a lightning-caused wildfire that started on July 27.
The crash also sparked another fire in the surrounding area.
Utah Wildfire Helicopter Crash Blocks Rescue Efforts
Fire crews faced difficult conditions as they attempted to reach the helicopter crash site.
Tyler Hecht of the Great Basin Incident Management Team said flames around the wreckage made it too dangerous for responders to enter the area immediately.
Officials hoped to reach the site within 24 hours. Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis said rescuers were avoiding unnecessary risks while the fire remained active.
Firefighters temporarily suspended aerial operations following the crash. They later resumed efforts to contain the wildfire.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are expected to investigate the accident. However, investigators may need to wait until conditions around the crash site become safe.
Sikorsky S-64 Helicopter Was Fighting Wildfire
The aircraft involved in the Utah wildfire helicopter crash was a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane, a heavy-lift helicopter commonly used during wildfire emergencies.
These helicopters can carry large quantities of water or fire retardant. Their ability to deliver heavy loads makes them valuable tools for crews fighting large and rapidly spreading wildfires.
The aircraft was operating alongside several other firefighting aircraft when it crashed.
Authorities have not yet announced what caused the incident. Investigators are expected to examine weather conditions, aircraft systems, flight operations and other factors as part of the investigation.
Oregon Wildfire Kills Bulldozer Operator
The Utah helicopter crash occurred as another wildfire in Oregon claimed the life of a bulldozer operator.
Jason Ensign, 47, died Thursday while operating a bulldozer for a timber company during the Wrights Spring Fire in south-central Oregon.
According to the local sheriff’s department, the fire expanded rapidly and cut off Ensign’s escape route.
The wildfire began Wednesday east of Chiloquin. By Friday, it had burned nearly 14 square miles, or about 36 square kilometers, with no containment reported.
Extreme heat, dry conditions and unpredictable winds have made firefighting operations particularly dangerous.
Utah Wildfire Continues to Expand
The wildfire near Kanosh has also grown significantly.
The Fishlake National Forest fire had burned approximately 165 square miles, or 427 square kilometers, by Friday morning. Fire crews had contained about 19% of the blaze.
More than 600 firefighters were working to control the fire.
The wildfire has forced evacuations and destroyed at least six structures. Officials said dry vegetation, limited rainfall, low snowpack and extreme heat have increased fire risks across Utah and other parts of the western United States.
Fire officials also warned crews about dry thunderstorms and lightning. Red flag warnings remained in effect in parts of the region.
Wildfires Create Serious Risks for Firefighters
The Utah wildfire helicopter crash and deadly Oregon wildfire highlight the growing dangers faced by firefighters during the current wildfire season.
Fast-moving flames, extreme temperatures, strong winds and dry vegetation can create dangerous conditions within minutes.
Four firefighters died and another suffered injuries in Colorado in June after a rapidly spreading wildfire overtook their position. The firefighters deployed emergency shelters as the flames moved through the area.
Officials continue to monitor weather conditions while crews battle large and unpredictable wildfires across the western United States.
As investigations into the Utah helicopter crash begin, authorities are also focused on protecting firefighters and preventing further casualties during an increasingly dangerous wildfire season.
