Utah wildfire helicopter crash: What we know about two pilots who died fighting blaze as tributes pour in

Two firefighting pilots perished in a helicopter crash while combating Utah's rapidly expanding Widemouth 2 Fire, officials announced on Saturday. Tributes for the deceased crew members began immediately following the incident. The Sikorsky S-64 helicopter, operated by Helicopter Transport Services under a contract with the US Forest Service, crashed near Richfield in Sevier County around 10:40 a.m. on Friday.

The FAA reported that two individuals were aboard the aircraft. The identities of the pilots have not been made public as of yet, but their families have been notified. Utah Governor Spencer Cox paid a heartfelt tribute to the fallen firefighters via X, expressing that Utah would never forget their sacrifice. He further added that their memory would remain cherished.

The S-64 firefighting helicopter tragically crashed while crews were actively battling the Widemouth 2 Fire, which has rapidly expanded across south-central Utah. The crash site was initially inaccessible due to intense fire conditions, complicating efforts to reach the wreckage. Fire investigators have since accessed the site and confirmed the tragic deaths. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the cause of the crash.