Burnover Incident on Western Colorado Wildfire Results in Federal Wildland Firefighter Injuries and Fatalities

Mesa County, COLORADO — On Saturday, June 27, while working on a wildfire in western Colorado, five federal firefighters were involved in a burnover incident resulting in shelter deployment. Two firefighters are being treated for burn injuries, and three others did not survive. The identities of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service firefighters are being withheld pending notifications.

The firefighters were assigned to the Knowles and Gore fires near the Colorado-Utah border when the incident occurred.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Forest Service are focused on supporting the firefighters’ family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.

Additional information will be released when it becomes available.