Key takeaways:
- Nathan Matthews, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, became the fourth firefighter to die after a burnover during the Knowles Fire in Mesa County, Colorado.
- Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson died at the scene; Matthews and a fifth firefighter were taken for medical treatment.
- The Interior Department said the fire is now known as the Snyder Fire and has burned more than 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border.
A fourth firefighter has died from burn injuries suffered when fast-moving flames trapped a helitack crew battling a wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border, federal officials said.
Nathan Matthews, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Friday after receiving medical care for burns sustained during the late-June incident, the U.S. Department of the Interior said. He was among five firefighters caught in a burnover while responding to the Knowles Fire in Mesa County, Colorado.
“This is another heartbreaking loss for our wildland fire family,” U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said.
A burnover occurs when a fire spreads rapidly and cuts off escape routes. Officials said fast-moving flames and gusty winds created unpredictable conditions for crews on the Knowles Fire, which sparked near Knowles Canyon in western Colorado. The fire was later overtaken by the Snyder Fire, which began in Utah and spread quickly across the Colorado border. The Interior Department said the fire is now known as the Snyder Fire and has burned more than 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border.
The firefighters were engaged in initial attack operations when they were overcome. The Guardian reported the incident happened on June 27 and said the crew had been deployed in Mesa County, west of Grand Junction. Helitack crews are flown by helicopter into remote areas to attack new or rapidly growing fires.
Three firefighters died at the scene: Emily Barker, 38; Nick Hutcherson, 27; and Sydney Watson. CBS News, citing officials, reported Watson was 27; The Guardian reported Watson was 26. Barker, Hutcherson and Watson were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew, officials said.
According to The Guardian, the firefighters deployed tent-like emergency shelters in an effort to protect themselves from the flames. Matthews and another firefighter were taken for medical treatment. The name of the fifth firefighter has not been released, and The Guardian reported there was no immediate update on that firefighter’s condition.
“We mourn the loss of Nate while continuing to grieve the deaths of Emily, Nick and Sydney. Our hearts are with their families, friends, crewmates and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Fennessy said.
Barker, Hutcherson and Watson were honored at a memorial service earlier this month, The Guardian reported. Memorial arrangements for Matthews have not been announced.
“We remain committed to supporting those affected and honoring the legacy of all four firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” Fennessy said.
The Guardian reported that the western United States has been contending with dozens of large fires this summer, fueled by months of dry weather, record-low snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds. Firefighters were also bracing Saturday for the possibility of worsening fires in Oregon, including a blaze near Bend that was of particular concern because of its proximity to people.
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