Three US wildland firefighters killed near Colorado-Utah border as western fires surge
Sacramento, June 29
Three wildland firefighters were killed and two others suffered burn injuries on Saturday while battling a fast-growing fire on the Colorado-Utah border, the US Wildland Fire Service said, as hot, dry and windy conditions drove the total number of uncontained large fires nationwide to 45.
The firefighters were overrun by advancing flames while responding to the Knowles and Gore fires in Mesa County, Colorado, in what the US Department of the Interior described as a burnover incident in which crews deployed emergency fire shelters, the department said in a statement. The two surviving firefighters were hospitalised with burn injuries, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Knowles and Gore fires subsequently merged with other blazes to form the Snyder Fire, the Department of the Interior said.
The firefighters were from two federal agencies that oversee the management of public lands, the US Wildland Fire Service and the US Forest Service.
The wildland service, which is part of the US Department of the Interior, was established in January this year to streamline firefighting efforts across public lands.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency Saturday and authorised the deployment of the National Guard to assist in firefighting efforts, Colorado Public Radio reported.
Taking to social media platform X, Governor Polis posted: "I'm devastated about the loss of three heroic firefighters who died in the line of duty in Western Colorado. The men and women who serve on the front lines of these fires risk their lives to keep us safe and to protect the lands and communities we love. To the loved ones of those lost, and to their fellow crew members - some who are still battling the flames - know that the State of Colorado mourns alongside you."
"The State is working closely with the Bureau of Land Management and local officials and firefighters to deploy any and all resources needed to fight these fires, including the Colorado National Guard, and to recover the three firefighters who were lost," he added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Even with all their advanced technology and resources, America is struggling with forest fires. It's a reminder that nature is more powerful than any country. I feel for the families of these brave souls who gave their lives fighting fires. Climate change is real and it's affecting everyone, from Colorado to Delhi.
I'm an American living overseas and honestly, the fire season keeps getting worse every year. The fact that 45 large fires are uncontained is terrifying. These firefighters are true heroes. India also faces similar issues with forest fires in the Western Ghats and Northeast - we should share best practices globally.
Very sad news. I notice this happened near the Colorado-Utah border but the article doesn't clearly mention the cause - was it lightning or human negligence? In India, we see so many forest fires caused by carelessness. Need more awareness and prevention globally. My condolences to the families.
It's commendable that they created a dedicated Wildland Fire Service just this January to streamline efforts, but sadly three lives were still lost. Firefighting is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. India also needs better coordinated wildfire response teams, especially with rising temperatures in our forest areas.
Having visited Colorado last year, the landscape is beautiful but so dry. Can't believe the Knowles and Gore fires merged into one big Snyder Fire. Mother Nature is angry. Hope the two survivors recover fully. Maybe we need to seriously rethink how we build communities near forests.
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