A Sikorsky S-64 firefighting helicopter crashed near Richfield, Utah, on Friday morning while operating near the Widemouth 2 Fire.

Two people were aboard the aircraft, and both were confirmed dead by the National Interagency Fire Center.

Heavy fire activity initially prevented emergency crews from safely reaching the crash site, forcing officials to wait for safer conditions.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation, KUTV 2 has reported.

Despite the tragedy, fire crews continue battling the Widemouth 2 Fire, one of Utah’s largest wildfires of the 2026 season.