Overview
- Three members of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack crew died after deploying emergency protective shelters when a fast-moving burnover overtook their position on June 27.
- Two other crew members suffered burn injuries and are recovering in hospital following the June 27 incident.
- A memorial service in Grand Junction drew federal fire leaders, family and community members and Colorado’s governor ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor the fallen.
- The blaze that overtook the crew began as the Knowles Fire and later grew into the Snyder Fire, which topped roughly 30,000 acres and is now reported as almost entirely contained.
- A multiagency serious-accident investigation is active and officials say the case highlights the high risks helitack teams face when helicopters drop crews into remote, steep terrain during extreme fire behavior and dry conditions.