By MES Dispatch Staff
The Briefing
- Three wildland firefighters assigned to a U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Wildland Fire Service helitack crew were killed June 27 when rapidly spreading flames cut off their escape routes during initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire in western Colorado near the Colorado-Utah border.
- The deceased firefighters were identified as Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan; Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona; and Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama.
- The firefighters deployed emergency fire shelters after flames advanced and cut off their exit routes, but were overcome by the fire.
- Two additional firefighters were injured during the same incident and are receiving medical care.
- The Knowles Fire merged with other fires and is now being managed as the Snyder Fire, which has burned more than 28,000 acres across the Colorado-Utah border.
MESA COUNTY, COLO. — Three federal wildland firefighters were killed June 27 during a burnover incident while conducting initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire in western Colorado, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew, which provides rapid helicopter-supported wildland firefighting response. The firefighters were identified as:
Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack; Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest; and Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.
The three firefighters were conducting initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when rapidly spreading flames advanced and cut off their escape routes. The firefighters deployed emergency fire shelters in response but were overcome by the fire.
Two additional firefighters were injured during the same incident and are currently receiving medical care at a hospital.
The Knowles Fire subsequently merged with the Jones Fire and was overtaken by the Snyder Fire. All fire activity is now being managed and reported under the Snyder Fire designation. The Snyder Fire has burned more than 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border.
U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy issued a statement mourning the loss. “We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens. Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service.”
Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher also released a statement. “This is an incredibly difficult moment for the entire wildland fire community. Our heavy hearts are with the families during this unimaginable time. We recognize the tremendous impact this loss has on them and are deeply grateful for the devotion their loved ones brought to our organizations. We will honor their memory with compassion and support as their selfless service and commitment create an enduring legacy.”
The U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service are providing support to the firefighters’ families and coworkers as the response and investigation continue.