RICHFIELD, Utah (AP) — A helicopter helping battle a large Utah wildfire crashed Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said, with no immediate word on the conditions of the two aboard.
The helicopter was one of seven working a fire in central Utah that was caused by lightning on July 27. The fire had grown to 165 square miles (427 square kilometers) and was 19% contained by Friday.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the helicopter crashed in Richfield, which is about 160 miles (258 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City.
The Sevier County Sheriff did not immediately respond to questions about the crash, and the FAA and wildfire officials didn’t have information on the conditions of the two people who were on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will investigate, but they may not be able to safely reach the scene immediately if the wildfire is burning nearby.
Crews were warned Friday morning that erratic winds, dry fuels and hot temperatures were on tap as well as the potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning. Red flag warnings were in effect.
Months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds have contributed to blazes in Utah and other parts of the West.
Four firefighters were killed in Colorado after they were overcome by a fast-moving wildfire near the Utah border in June.
