2 firefighters die as helicopter crashes on Utah wildfire mission
What's new: The wreck ignited another fire, and investigators could not immediately reach the crash site because flames overran the area.
Two firefighters were killed when a Sikorsky S-64 helicopter crashed while helping battle the Widemouth 2 wildfire near Richfield, Utah, federal officials said. The aircraft went down around 10 a.m. Thursday in central Utah while working under contract with the U.S. Forest Service, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Interagency Fire Center. Officials said the crash also sparked another fire, and active flames initially blocked emergency crews and investigators from reaching the wreckage. The lightning-caused blaze started July 27 and had burned about 165 square miles, or more than 40,000 hectares, with 19% containment by Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating.