...
By Hollie Silverman
News Editor
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Three firefighters were killed, and two others were injured Saturday while battling fast-moving wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border, officials said, as an expanding outbreak of blazes fueled by extreme heat, wind, and drought continues to grip the West.
Federal authorities identified the fallen firefighters in a press release on Monday as Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan; Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona; and Sydney Watson, 26, of Warrior, Alabama.
“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,” Brian Fennessy, U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief, said in the press release. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service."
Read More on U.S.
The firefighters were part of a multiagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires, which have since merged and are now known as the Snyder fire.
According to a press release from the U.S. Department of the Interior emailed to Newsweek on Sunday, the firefighters died during a "burnover incident" that required shelter deployment. The two surviving firefighters suffered burn injuries and are receiving medical treatment, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS) announced Sunday in a social media post.
"Our immediate focus is on supporting their families, friends, and fellow crewmates during this incredibly difficult time," USWFS said.
...
Senator John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat, also offered his condolences, writing on X on Sunday, "Our thoughts are with the three firefighters who were killed yesterday while battling wildfires along the Colorado-Utah border, and with their loved ones. Wishing those who were injured a speedy recovery. As the West braces for a difficult wildfire season, we owe our firefighters an enormous debt of gratitude for their courage and service."
The fatalities underscore the escalating danger across the region, where days of critically dry and windy conditions have pushed fire behavior to extreme levels, stretching firefighting resources thin and forcing emergency declarations in several states.
Fires Spread Rapidly Across the West
The largest active blaze, the Cottonwood Fire in southwestern Utah, has exploded to more than 92,000 acres—about 144 square miles—and remains completely uncontained. Fire crews are struggling to gain ground against the flames in steep, rugged terrain.
At least 1,200 responders have deployed to the Fishlake National Forest near Beaver, Utah, to build containment lines. The cause of the Cottonwood Fire remains under investigation, according to InciWeb, the federal wildfire tracking system.
"A Fire and Fuels Advisory has been issued for the state of Utah due to low fuel moistures and the potential for extreme fire behavior and rapid fire growth," officials noted Sunday on the incident page.
Nearby, the Snyder Fire has charred tens of thousands of acres along the state line, prompting evacuation warnings for several communities. Meanwhile, from Alaska to Florida, crews worked Saturday to corral dozens of fires, including three dozen classified as large and uncontained.
...
Extreme Weather Fuels 'Particularly Dangerous Situation'
National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters warned that conditions across several Western states are primed for explosive fire growth. Multiple red flag warnings have been issued due to high temperatures, gusty winds, and humidity levels dropping as low as 10 percent across a wide swath of the West, from California to Arizona and New Mexico.
In Utah, meteorologists characterized the outlook as a “particularly dangerous situation”—a severe designation highlighting the potential for unpredictable fire behavior.
The current outbreak reflects broader climate patterns shaping the 2026 wildfire season. Much of the West is grappling with persistent drought, below-normal precipitation, low winter snowpack, and above-average temperatures.
Nationwide, nearly 3 million acres have burned so far this year, a figure that sits well above the 10-year average.
Southwest Fire Activity and Power Shutoffs
The fire threat extended south into Arizona. South of Grand Canyon National Park, authorities said flames of a new wildfire were moving away from Grand Canyon Village and the nearby community of Tusayan on Saturday. But about 50 miles away, another fire prompted Coconino County officials to issue evacuation orders for those near Kendrick Mountain.
Parts of northern Arizona were left without power Saturday as the utility serving the area initiated a safety shutoff in hopes of reducing wildfire risk. Power shutoffs have become more common in the West as wildfire risk has expanded, usually serving as a last resort after utility forecasters weigh factors such as sustained winds, gust speeds, available fuels, and topography. With extreme fire conditions persisting in Utah, Rocky Mountain Power similarly shut off power lines serving Beaver County and other areas.
...
States Trigger Emergency Declarations
The worsening crisis has prompted swift action ahead of the July Fourth holiday. Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency this week, clearing the way for a statewide fireworks ban. Utah State Forester Jamie Barnes said a surge in new fires exhibiting "unprecedented behavior" has severely taxed available resources.
In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis also declared an emergency, activating the National Guard to assist with local response and containment efforts.
Officials warn that the coming days will offer little relief, with forecasts calling for sustained heat and wind that will keep the wildfire threat elevated.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Steve Mollman, Anthony Murray, and Sam Wilson.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines