Three firefighters killed, two injured while fighting fires along Utah-Colorado border

Three firefighters were killed, and two others were injured while responding to wildfires along the Utah-Colorado border. The firefighters were killed on Saturday while fighting the Knowles and Gore fires, according to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. Officials said two others were seriously injured and transported to a hospital. "Our immediate focus is on supporting their families, friends, and fellow crewmates during this incredibly difficult time," officials said. "Their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten." Western Slope Fire officials said the five victims were locally based federal firefighters who were caught in a burnover incident in Mesa County, Colorado. Officials said the firefighters did deploy their emergency shelters. The firefighters' identities have not yet been released. Gov. Spencer Cox posted a statement, saying he and First Lady Abby Cox are praying for their loved ones. "Today, we mourn three heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting lives and communities along the Utah-Colorado border. Please join Abby and me in praying for their loved ones, those who were injured, and every firefighter still on the line," Cox said. MORE | Two wildfires merge into 28,000-acre Snyder Fire along Utah-Colorado border Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson also posted, calling it a "terrible tragedy." "God bless those who lost their lives last night. May their loved ones find comfort and peace in the difficult days and years ahead, and may those who were injured fully recover," she said. The Knowles and Gore fires are burning on the Colorado side of the border across from the now-merged Jones and Snyder Fires , which ignited in Grand County, Utah, on Saturday. Officials with the Bureau of Land Management said it appears all the fires have merged into one, but are awaiting confirmation. The fires have burned 28,000 acres along the border, threatening structures in Mesa County. The area is under pre-evacuation orders , and several roads have been closed. Members of Salt Lake's Unified Fire Authority were part of a team that mobilized Sunday to take command of the Snyder Fire, the name for the combined fires burning along the border. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1, which has between 90 and 100 firefighters, is trained to handle complex wildfires and is expected to take command Sunday afternoon. A member of the team spoke with KUTV, saying the firefighters' deaths are weighing heavily on the incoming crew. An employee with the Forest Service, who asked to stay anonymous, told KUTV that incidents like this remind them how dangerous their jobs are. "Fire is the only natural disaster we ask men and women to stand in front of and stop. While we are often successful, sometimes the power of fire overtakes us, despite our best efforts and safest decision making. As we see so much criticism online about how we do our jobs, please remember our ultimate goal is to get every firefighter home safely," they said. "To our fallen comrades we’ll take it from here." These are the first reported casualties in connection with Utah wildfires this season, which has already seen multiple large fires burn across the state. The Cottonwood Fire is the largest in the nation , mapped at over 93,000 acres in size in Beaver and Piute Counties. The Iron Fire and the Cherry Fire are the next largest in the state at over 40,000 acres and 34,000, respectively. ___