At least three firefighters died and two others were injured on Saturday, June 28, 2026, while battling wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border. The incident occurred during a "burnover" situation, where firefighters are overtaken by flames as they try to contain the fire.
According to reports from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the crew members were part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires. The Department of the Interior confirmed that five firefighters were involved in the incident, with two being treated for burn injuries.
The wildfires have been intensifying due to low humidity, high temperatures, and strong winds, pushing fire behavior to extreme levels not commonly seen in the region. The Cottonwood Fire, currently burning in southern Utah's Beaver County, has grown to over 92,000 acres and is considered the largest wildfire in the United States.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency earlier this week, restricting fireworks displays ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Colorado Governor Jared Polis also issued an emergency declaration on Saturday, authorizing the use of the National Guard to help fight fires in his state.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by firefighters as they battle increasingly intense wildfires across the country. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, nearly 3 million acres have burned since the start of the year, faster than the rolling 10-year average.