Three firefighters died and two were injured Saturday while battling large wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border, according to officials. The firefighters were part of a federal response team assigned to the Knowles and Gore fires when they were unexpectedly overtaken by flames.
Burnover Incident
The firefighters attempted to take shelter during the "burnover incident," a situation where fire spreads rapidly and cuts off escape routes, forcing personnel to deploy emergency shelter tents. The two injured firefighters sustained burns and were transported to a hospital for treatment. The identities of the deceased firefighters have not yet been released. The US Wildland Fire Service stated that their primary focus is supporting the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen.
Merged Fires
The Knowles and Gore fires have since merged with other blazes to form the Snyder Mesa fire. As of Saturday, this consolidated fire had burned approximately 28,000 acres, according to Colorado Governor Jared Polis's office. Multiple wildfires have been active across Utah and Colorado, prompting both state governors to declare states of emergency.
The firefighters who died were employed by two federal agencies responsible for public land management: the US Wildland Fire Service and the US Forest Service. The US Wildland Fire Service, which operates under the US Department of the Interior, was established earlier this year to centralize and streamline wildfire suppression efforts across public lands. Both the US Wildland Fire Service and the USDA Forest Service expressed their grief and solidarity in supporting the loved ones of the firefighters, vowing that their bravery and sacrifice would not be forgotten.