Los Angeles, August 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Two people were killed when a helicopter supporting firefighting operations crashed while battling the massive Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah, authorities said, as crews continued efforts to contain one of the state’s largest wildfires of the year.
The US National Interagency Fire Center said the helicopter, operating under contract with the US Forest Service, crashed during firefighting operations, killing the pilot and a crew member. Their identities had not been released.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the Sikorsky S-64 helicopter went down near Richfield at around 10 a.m. local time on Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the crash.
Preliminary information indicated that the helicopter crashed in remote terrain under circumstances that remained unclear. Fire activity and difficult terrain initially prevented emergency crews from reaching the wreckage.
The crash also sparked additional flames, making access more difficult and increasing risks for responders.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said the incident highlighted the dangers faced by wildland firefighters.
“Wildland firefighting is among the most dangerous jobs in the world,” Cox said, describing the deaths as a painful reminder of the risks accepted by firefighters and other personnel protecting communities. He urged the public to give emergency responders and investigators time and space as operations continued.
The Widemouth 2 Fire began on July 27 after lightning struck dry timber, brush and grass in the Fishlake National Forest near Kanosh. Hot temperatures, dry conditions and erratic winds helped the blaze spread rapidly, triggering evacuations and damaging property.
At least six structures have been destroyed, according to officials.
The fire has so far burned more than 114,000 acres, or about 461 square kilometres, and was 24 per cent contained, according to Utah Fire Info, an interagency public information resource on wildfires in the state.
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