Three firefighters killed on Colorado-Utah border as wildfires intensify

National Three firefighters killed on Colorado-Utah border as wildfires intensify June 28, 202610:46 AM ET By  Willem Marx A helicopter drops water on the Cottonwood Fire in Beaver, Utah, on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Ty ONeil/AP hide caption toggle caption Ty ONeil/AP Three firefighters have died and two others have been injured Saturday while they tackled blazes on the Colorado-Utah border, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service has announced. The agency said the crew members had been part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires. "The U.S. Wildland Fire Service stands united with the USDA Forest Service in grief and in our unwavering support for the loved ones left behind," the service said in a statement on Facebook. "Their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten." In a press release, the Department of the Interior said that the five firefighters were involved in a "burnover incident", which refers to when officials are unable to find an escape route, so have to shelter as best they can while a fire passes directly over them. The department said the two firefighters who survived were being treated for burn injuries. Sponsor Message Fires in Utah, Colorado and Arizona have been intensifying, thanks to days of low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds. The conditions have pushed fire behavior to extremes not commonly seen in the region, stretching resources and forcing the governors of both Utah and Colorado to declare emergencies. Cottonwood fire not yet contained The biggest blaze is the Cottonwood Fire, burning in rugged terrain in southern Utah's Beaver County, which has grown to more than 144 square miles and remains entirely uncontained. It is currently the largest wildfire burning anywhere in the United States. It has already severely damaged the Eagle Point ski resort and destroyed summer cabins. Damage assessments were underway Saturday, though no final estimates of destroyed structures were yet available. On Saturday,...