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Helicopter fighting Utah wildfire crashes with two people onboard, officials say

Helicopter fighting Utah wildfire crashes with two people onboard, officials say

Summary

A firefighting helicopter crashed in central Utah on Friday morning with two people onboard. Rescuers have not yet reached the crash site because the helicopter started a new fire, and the cause of the crash is still unknown.

Key Facts

  • The helicopter was a Sikorsky S64 and had two people inside.
  • The crash happened near Richfield, Utah, about 160 miles south of Salt Lake City.
  • Emergency crews are responding but have difficulty reaching the site due to rough terrain and the new fire caused by the crash.
  • The helicopter was fighting the Widemouth 2 fire, which has burned 105,000 acres since July 27.
  • There are eight large fires burning across Utah, covering over 331,000 acres in total.
  • Utah Governor Spencer Cox acknowledged the dangers firefighters face and expressed sympathy for the incident.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash.
  • Firefighters paused briefly but then resumed fighting the fires despite low morale after the crash.
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