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Three Firefighters Killed as Snyder Fire Burns 30,000 Acres

7/3/2026

27 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Emily Barker (Michigan), Nick Hutcherson (Arizona) and Sydney Watson (Alabama) died in a burnover on June 27 near the Colorado-Utah border.
The blaze was named the Snyder Fire after merging several smaller fires.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency and ordered flags at half-staff.
U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said the fire burned over 30,000 acres by June 30 and praised the fallen firefighters’ courage.

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Story summary

Emily Barker (Michigan), Nick Hutcherson (Arizona) and Sydney Watson (Alabama) died in a burnover on June 27 near the Colorado-Utah border.
The blaze was named the Snyder Fire after merging several smaller fires.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency and ordered flags at half-staff.
U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said the fire burned over 30,000 acres by June 30 and praised the fallen firefighters’ courage.