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Utah helicopter crash horror as firefighting chopper goes down tackling wildfire
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Utah helicopter crash horror as firefighting chopper goes down tackling wildfire A helicopter has crashed in Richfield, Utah, while battling a wildfire sparked by lightning that has now scorched 165 square miles A helicopter helping battle a massive wildfire in Utah has crashed with two people on board. The aircraft was one of seven deployed to tackle the blaze, which was sparked by lightning on 27 July.
Utah helicopter crash horror as firefighting chopper goes down tackling wildfire
A helicopter has crashed in Richfield, Utah, while battling a wildfire sparked by lightning that has now scorched 165 square miles
A helicopter helping battle a massive wildfire in Utah has crashed with two people on board.
The aircraft was one of seven deployed to tackle the blaze, which was sparked by lightning on 27 July. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the Sikorsky S64 helicopter went down in Richfield, Utah.
The Sevier County Sheriff's office did not immediately respond to queries regarding the crash, and both the FAA and wildfire officials were unable to provide any information on the condition of those on board.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are set to launch an investigation into the crash, though reaching the scene safely will prove difficult if the wildfire continues to burn in the vicinity, reports the Mirror US.
The fire had spread across 165 square miles (427 square kilometres) and was only 19% contained by Friday. Crews were put on alert on Friday morning that unpredictable winds, parched fuels and scorching temperatures were expected, along with the possibility of dry thunderstorms and lightning strikes. Red Flag warnings remained in effect.