Helicopter battling Utah wildfire crashes with no word on the 2 people aboard

A helicopter assisting in the fight against a large wildfire in central Utah crashed Friday, leaving the condition of its two occupants unknown. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the Sikorsky S-64 helicopter went down in Richfield, a town approximately 160 miles south of Salt Lake City.

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The helicopter was one of seven working a fire in central Utah that was caused by lightning on July 27.

The aircraft was one of seven working the wildfire, which ignited from lightning on July 27. By Friday, the blaze had expanded to cover 165 square miles and was only 19% contained. Officials have not yet released information on the well-being of the two individuals on board.

The Sevier County Sheriff's office has not immediately responded to inquiries. Both the FAA and wildfire officials were unable to provide details regarding the crash victims. The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are slated to investigate, though immediate access to the crash site might be hindered by the active wildfire.

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The Sevier County Sheriff did not immediately respond to questions about the crash, and the FAA and wildfire officials didn't have information on the conditions of the two people who were on board.

Fire crews had been alerted Friday morning to the potential for erratic winds, dry fuel conditions, hot temperatures, and dry thunderstorms, with Red Flag warnings in effect. This incident follows a tragic event in June where four firefighters died in Colorado after being overcome by a rapidly spreading wildfire near the Utah border.

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Crews were warned Friday morning that erratic winds, dry fuels and hot temperatures were on tap as well as the potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning.