Firefighting helicopter crashes near Utah wildfire

A heavy-lift firefighting helicopter crashed in Utah on Friday while battling a wildfire, officials confirmed. The incident occurred near the small city of Richfield, a region currently experiencing significant blazes.

The aircraft, identified as a Sikorsky-S-64 Skycrane, was reportedly carrying two individuals when it went down around 10:00 AM local time. These powerful helicopters are crucial for aerial firefighting, capable of transporting large volumes of water or retardant to remote fire locations.

Details regarding the survival of the helicopter's occupants remain unconfirmed. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced via the platform X that it has launched an investigation into the crash. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene near the "Widemouth-2" fire, located within the Fishlake National Forest.

The crash occurred amidst ongoing, widespread wildfires in the central part of the state. The "Salt Lake Tribune" reported, citing authorities, that the helicopter had been actively engaged in the firefighting efforts at the time of the accident.