A burnover incident on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three firefighters and injuries to two others while they were responding to the Knowles and Gore fires on the Colorado-Utah border, according to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
Incident Details
The five firefighters, who were federally employed personnel from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Forest Service, were part of an interagency response team. The incident occurred when fire passed directly over them, a situation classified as a burnover. Officials reported that the firefighters deployed their emergency shelters.
The two surviving firefighters sustained burn injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment. The identities of the deceased have not been released.
The burnover incident took place in Mesa County, Colorado. The Knowles and Gore fires are burning on the Colorado side of the border, opposite the merged Jones and Snyder fires in Grand County, Utah. The Bureau of Land Management stated that all fires may have merged into one, but confirmation is pending.
Fire Conditions and Status
Fire conditions are being driven by low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds. Spokesperson Alyssa Mason reported single-digit humidity and wind gusts of approximately 45 mph. Steep terrain has hindered the movement of firefighting equipment. Helicopters and aircraft were grounded intermittently due to conditions.
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued its first "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warning on Friday, citing wind, heat, and low humidity expected to persist into Sunday.
Red flag warnings have been issued across the West from California to New Mexico.
Key fires in the region include:
- Cottonwood Fire (Beaver and Piute Counties, Utah): This fire has grown to over 144 square miles (373 square kilometers) and is entirely uncontained, making it the largest active wildfire in the United States. It has damaged the Eagle Point ski resort and destroyed summer cabins. Evacuation notices were issued for Marysvale, Junction, and Circleville on Saturday.
- Snyder Fire (formerly Snyder Mesa Fire, Grand County, Utah): Covering over 28,000 acres, this fire has merged with the smaller Jones and Knowles Fires in Colorado.
- Knowles and Gore Fires (Mesa County, Colorado): These fires have burned 28,000 acres, threaten structures, and have prompted pre-evacuation orders and road closures.
Government Response
Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency earlier this week and restricted fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared an emergency on Saturday, authorizing National Guard use. Parts of northern Arizona experienced power shutoffs by utilities to reduce wildfire risk.
Broader Context
Utah recorded its lowest snowpack and warmest winter on record, leading to dry conditions. Utah's state forester Jamie Barnes said fires are moving in ways that stretch capacity, with new fires closer to populated areas.
The National Interagency Fire Center reported that nearly 3 million acres have burned nationwide this year, exceeding the 10-year average.
A new wildfire near Grand Canyon National Park moved away from populated areas on Saturday, while another fire prompted evacuation orders near Kendrick Mountain in Arizona.