B.C. pilot killed in crash while battling Colorado wildfire

Nicholas Dale, a 56-year-old pilot from Sooke on Vancouver Island, has died after his helicopter crashed while battling the Gold Mountain wildfire in Colorado. Dale was actively engaged in firefighting efforts when the aircraft went down southwest of Aspen.

Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd posted on X, formerly Twitter, mourning Dale's loss. "Today, we mourn the loss of Nicholas Dale, who gave his life while supporting response efforts on the Gold Mountain Fire," Hurd wrote. "My prayers are with his family and loved ones, his fellow aviators, and everyone in the wildland firefighting community grieving this tragic loss."

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Today, we mourn the loss of Nicholas Dale, who gave his life while supporting response efforts on the Gold Mountain Fire. My prayers are with his family and loved ones, his fellow aviators, and everyone in the wildland firefighting community grieving this tragic loss.

Hurd added, "Nicholas answered the call to serve others, knowing the risks that come with that service. We are grateful for his sacrifice, and we honor his memory."

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Nicholas answered the call to serve others, knowing the risks that come with that service. We are grateful for his sacrifice, and we honor his memory.

B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar conveyed his "deepest condolences" to Dale's family and friends. "I know the community of Sooke very well, having represented it, and I know that they will wrap their loved ones and this family, Nicholas’s family, during this very challenging time," Parmar stated.

The Gold Mountain fire, which began on June 27, has burned an estimated 36,965 acres and is 12 percent contained. The incident highlights the dangers faced by wildland firefighters.

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I know the community of Sooke very well, having represented it, and I know that they will wrap their loved ones and this family, Nicholas’s family, during this very challenging time.