Firefighting helicopter crashes in Utah during wildfire response

A firefighting helicopter crashed in the U.S. state of Utah while battling a large wildfire, with two people on board, authorities said.

“The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the helicopter that crashed in Richfield at 10:00 on August 7 was a Sikorsky S-64, with two people on board,” the report said.

The helicopter had been deployed in central Utah as part of efforts to contain a wildfire that has been burning since late July. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched an investigation into the incident.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox highlighted the risks faced by emergency crews responding to wildfires.

“Wildland firefighting is one of the most dangerous professions in the world. Today is a painful reminder of the incredible risk these brave men and women take to protect us,” he said in a post on Facebook.

The wildfire began on July 27 in the Fishlake National Forest following a lightning strike and had grown to approximately 165 square miles (425 square kilometres) by the morning of August 7. Officials said containment efforts had reached about 19%.

By Tamilla Hasanova