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Forest Service Skycrane Crash Kills Two, Sparks New Blaze

8/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane helicopter of the U.S. Forest Service crashed in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest while fighting the Widemouth 2 wildfire.
The crash sparked a new fire that merged with the blaze, raising the total burned area to nearly 174 square miles.
The National Interagency Fire Center reported the pilot and one crewmember died and said the NTSB will investigate once conditions permit.

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Story summary

A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane helicopter of the U.S. Forest Service crashed in Utah’s Fishlake National Forest while fighting the Widemouth 2 wildfire.
The crash sparked a new fire that merged with the blaze, raising the total burned area to nearly 174 square miles.
The National Interagency Fire Center reported the pilot and one crewmember died and said the NTSB will investigate once conditions permit.