WARRIOR, Ala. (WDNews) — An Alabama firefighter is among three wildland firefighters who lost their lives while battling a wildfire in western Colorado over the weekend.
Federal wildland fire officials identified one of the fallen firefighters as Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama. Watson was assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service’s Rifle Helitack crew.
According to officials, the three firefighters were conducting initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire on Saturday when the incident occurred. Two additional firefighters were injured and are receiving medical care.
The other firefighters who died were identified as Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, and Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona.
Officials said the Snyder Fire has since merged with several other wildfires, including the Knowles Fire, and has grown to more than 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border. An interagency complex incident management team has assumed command of the fire.
“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,” U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said.
Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher also expressed condolences, saying the agencies are committed to supporting the families, coworkers and loved ones of those affected.
The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service are coordinating response efforts as a serious accident investigation team works to determine what led to the tragedy.
Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation continues.
