Two helicopter pilots battling a wildfire in Utah were killed after their Sikorsky Skycrane crashed on Friday morning, officials confirmed on Saturday. The helicopter was responding to a fire in the Fishlake National Forest when it crashed, sparking another blaze that later merged with the existing fire.
The combined wildfire has now burned nearly 451 square kilometres, as multiple fires continue to spread across the western United States. According to the Sevier County Sheriff, the pilots worked for Helicopter Transport Services, which was contracted by the US Forest Service. Their identities have not been released.
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Officials initially said the crash site could not be reached because of the wildfire. However, crews entered the area on Saturday and confirmed the deaths, the sheriff and coroner said.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash once its team can examine the wreckage. Officials said determining the cause could take a year or more.
Meanwhile, wildfires in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia have also prompted closures, evacuations and extensive firefighting operations.
