Context:

Two pilots died fighting a Utah wildfire when their Sikorsky Skycrane crashed, triggering a new blaze and complicating efforts to contain the Fishlake National Forest fire as the Widemouth 2 perimeter expanded to about 174 square miles. The pilots, employed by Helicopter Transport Services for the US Forest Service, were killed Friday and the crash site was inaccessible until conditions allowed entry. Investigators from the NTSB were en route, with a determination of the cause likely taking a year or more. The broader wildfire season remains deadly, with recent fatalities and ongoing containment challenges.

Dive Deeper:

• The fatal crash involved a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter engaged in firefighting operations within the Fishlake National Forest.

• Officials confirmed the pilots were employees of Helicopter Transport Services, contracted by the US Forest Service, though individual identities were not released.

• The crash occurred Friday morning and immediately ignited a new fire that linked with the existing Widemouth 2 blaze, expanding the authorities' containment challenges.

• As of Saturday, the Widemouth 2 fire had burned over 114,600 acres and was 24% contained, marking a rapid expansion from earlier estimates exceeding 105,000 acres.

• Access to the crash site was initially blocked by active fire, with ground resources unable to reach the area until conditions allowed for a safer entry.

• The National Transportation Safety Board was dispatched to document the scene and recover the aircraft, with a full cause determination expected to take one year or more.

• The broader western wildfire season has already proven deadly, with several firefighters dying during incidents along the Colorado-Utah border earlier in the summer.