Story perspectives

Pilots of helicopter that crashed while fighting wildfire in Utah are dead, officials say. Helicopter crash kills pilot and crew member amid Utah wildfire battle. Firefighting Helicopter Crashes Near Utah Wildfire, Killing disputed total On

8/10/2026

Summary

Skycrane Crashes

A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane of Helicopter Transport Services crashed near Richfield, Utah, on August 7, 2026, killing the pilot and a crewmember.
The crash sparked a new fire while the Widemouth 2 Fire had burned over 111,000 acres and was 24 percent contained.
The FAA and NTSB opened investigations after Sheriff Nathan Curtis said the National Interagency Fire Center confirmed the deaths and recovered the remains.

Summary

Firefighters Mobilize

Fillmore, Utah residents posted supportive signs and filled sandbags after the helicopter crash.
The regional fire service added 60 troops to a 275-firefighter crew, deployed about 20 aircraft and heavy machinery, and coordinated teams from Mexico, Australia, France and New Zealand as wildfires forced evacuations of over 20,000 people in British Columbia.
Scientists say the extreme fire behavior results from intensifying heatwaves and drought linked to human-driven climate change.

Summary

Sikorsky Crash Pauses

Fire suppression paused after the Sikorsky S-64 crashed near Kanosh, Utah, then resumed when crews arrived.
Tyler Hecht of the Great Basin Incident Management Team said flight conditions were still acceptable.
The NTSB and FAA expect investigators on the remote crash scene by Saturday night.
More than 600 firefighters are battling the 165-square-mile Fishlake fire, which has destroyed six structures.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 South Canyon Fire on Colorado’s Storm King Mountain killed 14 firefighters, including nine hotshot crew members, and drove the Forest Service to adopt the LCES safety protocol. Decades earlier, the 1949 Mann Gulch fire prompted the Ten Standard Firefighting Orders. The August 7, 2026 Skycrane crash in Utah revives those long-standing safety debates.

1 of 4

Skycrane Crashes

A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane of Helicopter Transport Services crashed near Richfield, Utah, on August 7, 2026, killing the pilot and a crewmember.
The crash sparked a new fire while the Widemouth 2 Fire had burned over 111,000 acres and was 24 percent contained.
The FAA and NTSB opened investigations after Sheriff Nathan Curtis said the National Interagency Fire Center confirmed the deaths and recovered the remains.

1 / 4