Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Two Killed as Firefighting Helicopter Crashes Battling Utah Wildfire
Firefighters work very hard to stop big fires in the forest.
In the state of Utah, a huge fire called the Widemouth 2 Fire started when lightning hit the ground.
A big helicopter called the Skycrane was helping drop water on the fire when it crashed.
Two people were inside the helicopter, and sadly both of them died.
The crash also started a new fire, and flames kept rescue teams away from the crash site for a while.
The wildfire near the town of Kanosh has burned a very large area and forced some people to leave their homes.
More than six hundred firefighters are working to stop it.
In the state of Oregon, a man driving a bulldozer also died while fighting a different fire.
Very hot, dry weather with little snow is making fires grow fast and act in surprising ways.
Two people — a pilot and one crew member — were killed when a Sikorsky S-64 'Skycrane' helicopter crashed Friday while fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah; the crash also ignited a new fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation, and the names of the two crew members had not been released; flames and rugged terrain initially kept responders from reaching the crash site.
The lightning-sparked fire on Fishlake National Forest near Kanosh had burned more than 114,000 acres (about 461 sq km) and was 24% contained per Utah Fire Info, though earlier reports cited 165 square miles (427 sq km) and 19% containment.
The fire has destroyed at least six structures and triggered evacuations, with more than 600 firefighting personnel deployed.
In Oregon, 47-year-old bulldozer operator Jason Ensign died Thursday when the Wrights Spring fire's 'unexpected and rapid growth' cut off his escape route.
- Who
- A two-person crew — a pilot and one crew member — aboard a Sikorsky S-64 'Skycrane' helicopter under contract with the U.S. Forest Service; separately, 47-year-old bulldozer operator Jason Ensign died in Oregon.
- What
- The helicopter crashed during firefighting operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire, killing both aboard and igniting another fire; crews were initially unable to reach the crash site.
- When
- The crash occurred at about 10 a.m. Friday, and the deaths were confirmed Saturday; the Widemouth 2 Fire was sparked by lightning on July 27, and Ensign died Thursday.
- Where
- Near Richfield, Utah, about 160 miles (258 km) south of Salt Lake City, on the Fishlake National Forest near Kanosh; the Oregon blaze burned east of Chiloquin.
- Why
- The helicopter was supporting firefighting efforts amid extreme wildfire conditions fueled by months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds.
- Helicopter
- Sikorsky S-64 heavy-lift 'Skycrane,' under contract with the U.S. Forest Service
- Fatalities
- Pilot and one crew member killed in the crash; names not yet released
- Crash details
- Went down about 10 a.m. Friday near Richfield, Utah, about 160 miles (258 km) south of Salt Lake City; crash ignited a new fire
- Fire
- Widemouth 2 Fire on Fishlake National Forest near Kanosh; lightning-sparked on July 27
- Fire size and containment
- More than 114,000 acres (about 461 sq km), 24% contained per Utah Fire Info; earlier reports cited 165 sq miles (427 sq km) and 19% containment
- Damage and response
- At least 6 structures destroyed; evacuations triggered; more than 600 firefighting personnel deployed
- Oregon blaze
- Wrights Spring fire east of Chiloquin: nearly 14 sq miles (36 sq km), no containment; bulldozer operator Jason Ensign, 47, died Thursday
- Investigation
- National Transportation Safety Board leading; Federal Aviation Administration also involved
Sources
Two killed in helicopter crash fighting wildfire in US state of Utah
Utah Wildfire: Heavy-Lift Helicopter Crashes While Battling Massive Blaze, Fate Of 2 Crew Unknown
Helicopter Battling Utah Wildfire Crashes, Ignites Another Fire