Crash ignited new fire, expanding blaze to nearly 174 square miles
A large Utah wildfire prevented emergency responders from safely reaching the remote site of a helicopter crash on Saturday, as other fires burned across several Western states, including one that closed part of Mount Rainier National Park.
The crash occurred Friday morning when a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter went down in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest, officials said. The crash ignited a new fire that spread to connect with the existing blaze.
The combined fire has now scorched nearly 174 square miles (nearly 451 square kilometers), according to officials battling the blaze.
Officials said Saturday afternoon that they decided not to place additional lives at risk until the fire is more under control. As a result, emergency responders have not been able to reach the crash site and have not been able to confirm the status of the two people aboard the helicopter.
The National Interagency Fire Center said the pilot and crewmember were fatally injured in the crash. The center did not respond immediately to questions about the source of that information.
The crash and resulting fire occurred as several other wildfires burned across Western states. One fire closed part of Mount Rainier National Park. The broader wildfire activity spans multiple states, though the source did not detail the number of fires or their containment status.