The U.S. Wildland Fire Service confirmed that three firefighters were killed while fighting the Knowles and Gore fires along the Utah-Colorado border. Two other crew members were injured in the same incident, and the agency said it would release further details soon.
In a statement Sunday, the agency—established earlier this year to unify wildfire fighting and mitigation on public lands—said it was “grieving and extends unwavering support to the loved ones left behind.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the three firefighters “heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect lives and communities along the Utah-Colorado border.” Over the past week, both the Utah and Colorado governors declared states of emergency. Utah banned fireworks ahead of the July 4th holiday, while Colorado activated the National Guard to assist with firefighting.
Severe Wildfire Season
This is one of the worst wildfire seasons in the United States. Nationwide, nearly 3 million acres (about 1.2 million hectares) have been burned since the start of the year, exceeding the 10-year average. As of Sunday, at least three dozen wildfires were classified as “uncontrolled.”
State authorities warned that prolonged drought and dry conditions continue to create “above-normal wildfire risk.” Arizona has also been heavily affected, with wildfires near the Grand Canyon and Mount Kendrick, causing power outages in some areas due to safety-related blackouts.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said climate change has increased wildfire risk in recent years, driving higher temperatures, extended droughts, and dry conditions. Meanwhile, Europe is experiencing a record heatwave expected to affect the eastern United States by Wednesday.
