Utah helicopter crash kills 2 fighting Widemouth 2 Fire near Richfield
Synopsis
A helicopter contracted by the US Forest Service crashed while fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah on Friday, killing the pilot and one crew member. The Sikorsky S-64 went down near Richfield under unknown circumstances; the crash site was initially unreachable due to active fire. The blaze, burning since 27 July, has scorched over 114,000 acres and remains only 24 per cent contained.
Key Takeaways
A US Forest Service -contracted Sikorsky S-64 helicopter crashed near Richfield, Utah , on Friday , killing the pilot and one crew member .
The crash occurred during active operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire , one of Utah's largest wildfires of the year.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation; cause remains unknown.
The crash ignited new flames, complicating access to the wreckage and raising safety concerns for rescuers.
The Widemouth 2 Fire has burned more than 114,000 acres and is 24 per cent contained as of Saturday.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox called wildland firefighting 'among the most dangerous jobs in the world' in a statement following the crash.
Two people died on Friday after a helicopter contracted by the US Forest Service crashed while supporting firefighting operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire, a massive wildfire burning in central Utah, authorities confirmed on Saturday. The victims — the pilot and one crew member — had not been publicly identified as of Saturday. The crash site remained inaccessible due to active fire and rugged terrain.
What Happened
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the aircraft, a Sikorsky S-64 helicopter, went down near Richfield, Utah, at approximately 10 a.m. local time Friday under circumstances that remain unknown. The US National Interagency Fire Center confirmed the helicopter was under contract with the US Forest Service and was actively engaged in firefighting operations at the time of the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation. Preliminary information indicated the aircraft came down in remote terrain, and local officials noted that fire activity and the rugged landscape initially prevented rescue crews from reaching the wreckage. The crash also reportedly ignited new flames, further complicating access and raising additional safety concerns for emergency responders.
Governor's Response
Utah Governor Spencer Cox issued a statement acknowledging the tragedy and the inherent dangers of wildland firefighting. 'Wildland firefighting is among the most dangerous jobs in the world,' Cox said. 'Today is a painful reminder of the extraordinary risks these brave men and women accept to protect us,' he added, urging residents to give investigators and emergency personnel the time and space needed to respond.
About the Widemouth 2 Fire
The Widemouth 2 Fire ignited on 27 July after lightning struck dry timber, brush, and grass in the Fishlake National Forest near Kanosh, a small community in central Utah. The blaze spread rapidly during a stretch of dry weather, elevated temperatures, and erratic winds, forcing evacuations and damaging property in the region. At least six structures have been destroyed, according to officials.
As of Saturday, the fire had burned more than 114,000 acres (approximately 461 square kilometres) and was 24 per cent contained, according to Utah Fire Info, an interagency public information resource on wildfires in the state. It is considered one of the largest wildfires in Utah this year.
What Comes Next
The NTSB investigation is expected to take months before a probable cause is determined. Meanwhile, firefighting crews continue battling the Widemouth 2 Fire, with containment efforts complicated by the terrain and the secondary ignition triggered by the crash. The identities of the two victims are expected to be released once next of kin have been notified.
Point of View
And its loss mid-operation signals conditions on the ground were extreme. With the fire only 24 per cent contained after nearly two weeks and the crash adding a secondary ignition, the human and operational cost of America's worsening wildfire season continues to mount. The NTSB investigation will be watched closely by the aviation and forestry communities — but the deeper question is whether the pace of climate-driven fire growth is outrunning the safety protocols designed for a less volatile era.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Utah helicopter crash near Richfield?
A Sikorsky S-64 helicopter contracted by the US Forest Service crashed near Richfield, Utah, on Friday while supporting firefighting operations on the Widemouth 2 Fire, killing the pilot and one crew member. The cause remains unknown and the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
What is the Widemouth 2 Fire?
The Widemouth 2 Fire is a major wildfire that ignited on 27 July after lightning struck dry vegetation in the Fishlake National Forest near Kanosh in central Utah. As of Saturday, it had burned more than 114,000 acres and was 24 per cent contained, making it one of the largest wildfires in Utah this year.
Who is investigating the helicopter crash?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration has also confirmed details of the incident. Preliminary information indicates the helicopter went down in remote terrain under unknown circumstances.
Why was it difficult to reach the crash site?
Active fire activity and rugged terrain initially prevented crews from accessing the wreckage. The crash itself reportedly ignited new flames, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts and raising safety concerns for emergency responders.
What did Utah Governor Spencer Cox say about the crash?
Governor Spencer Cox called wildland firefighting 'among the most dangerous jobs in the world' and described the crash as 'a painful reminder of the extraordinary risks these brave men and women accept to protect us.' He asked residents to give investigators and responders time and space as the response continued.
