Overview
- A Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane heavy-lift firefighting helicopter crashed near Richfield while working the Widemouth 2 Fire, and officials confirmed two people were aboard Friday.
- Active flames and steep terrain initially prevented search teams from reaching the wreckage, prompting incident command to pause some operations until it is safe to enter the area.
- The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have opened formal investigations and the NTSB is expected to lead the on-scene inquiry when access allows.
- The helicopter was one of multiple aircraft assigned to the Widemouth 2 Fire, which has burned more than 100,000 acres, is roughly 19% contained, and involved more than 600 personnel and heavy equipment.
- Officials warned the crash underscores the dangers faced by aerial and ground crews on fast-moving wildfires and could delay recovery and some suppression tasks while safety and investigative priorities take precedence.