Three firefighters died while fighting a wildfire between Utah and Colorado
Three firefighters died and two others were injured while responding to the Snyder Fire, a wildfire affecting parts of Utah and Colorado
Three firefighters died on Saturday while participating in the response to the Snyder Fire, a wildfire affecting areas between Utah and Colorado, United States Forest Service authorities reported.
In addition to the fatalities, two other members of the response team are being treated for burn injuries.
In a statement released during the early hours of Sunday, the authorities indicated that the immediate priority is to provide support to family, friends and colleagues of the victims.
They also highlighted the “bravery, dedication and sacrifice” of the deceased firefighters.
The fire started in Utah and spread to Colorado
The fire originated Saturday morning under the name Snyder Mesa Fire in eastern Utah, within Grand County.
It later crossed into Colorado, where it joined other smaller fires—identified as the Jones Fire and the Knowles Fire—in Mesa County, forming the current Snyder Fire.
As the fire advanced, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a disaster emergency declaration.
More than 28,000 acres affected and without containment
Officials reported that the Snyder Fire had consumed approximately 28,000 acres and remained at 0% containment.
The situation forced evacuation warnings to be issued for small communities in Mesa County.
The Snyder Fire is one of several active fires affecting the Four Corners region.
These include the Cottonwood Fire, in Paiute and Beaver counties, Utah, which reached approximately 92,254 acres without containment.
The Iron Fire also remains active, with about 41,467 acres affected and 38% containment, in addition to the Cherry Fire, which covered about 30,766 acres and remained uncontrolled.
The authorities indicated that they hope to expand the information on the deceased firefighters when it is possible to disclose their identities.