A pilot died Sunday evening when a firefighting aircraft crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir in Gunnison County, Colorado, authorities confirmed. The aircraft was supporting efforts to combat the Gold Mountain Fire, which has been burning in southwestern Colorado.
The Montrose County Sheriff's Office Dive Team recovered the pilot's body from the reservoir. The pilot's identity is being withheld pending family notification. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash.
The Gold Mountain Fire has impacted approximately 35,600 acres and was 5% contained as of Sunday, according to the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program. Fire officials anticipate the blaze will remain active, with changing wind patterns expected to carry smoke into various communities over the coming days. An air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke is currently in effect for portions of central, southern, and western Colorado.
Deputies, investigators, and the dive team responded to the incident, which was reported around 5:17 p.m. Sunday after the Gunnison Regional Communications Center received a report of an aircraft down in the reservoir. Early information indicated the pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft.