2 firefighters killed after helicopter crashes near Widemouth 2 Fire - KSL.com
A helicopter crash near the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah resulted in the deaths of a pilot and a crew member. The aircraft was under contract with the U.S. Forest Service, and local authorities are coordinating a procession to honor the fallen firefighters.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by wildland firefighting crews and the risks associated with aerial support operations during wildfire suppression.
RICHFIELD — A pilot and a crew member were killed after the helicopter they were riding in crashed near a massive wildfire burning in central Utah on Friday.The National Interagency Fire Center, which oversees the National Interagency Coordination Center, confirmed the fatalities on Saturday, adding that the helicopter was on contract with the U.S. Forest Service. Their names and ages were not immediately released.The Utah Highway Patrol on Saturday evening announced a procession for the firefighters and issued road closures in order to escort their remains."To honor the fallen helicopter crew fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire near Richfield, Utah law enforcement and fire departments will be escorting our fallen heroes," UHP said. "Please expect slow downs on I-70 westbound to I-15 northbound from Cove Fort to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Taylorsville." View this post on Instagram A post shared by KSL 5 TV (@kslnews) Gov.
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