Arizona firefighter among 3 killed while battling Colorado wildfires

An Arizona firefighter was among three first responders killed Saturday while battling the Knowles Fire in western Colorado.

Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service’s Kaibab National Forest and was part of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service’s Rifle Helitack crew, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Hutcherson and two other firefighters — 38-year-old Emily Barker of Michigan and 26-year-old Sydney Watson of Alabama — were conducting initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred, officials said.

They were trying to shield themselves from flames by deploying tent-like shelters when they were overcome.

How did the Arizona firefighter die while fighting the Knowles Fire?

Hutcherson and other firefighters were battling the Knowles Fire in Mesa County when fast-moving flames overran the crew, the Interior Department said.

Two other firefighters suffered burn injuries and remained under medical care, officials said.

The crew was part of an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires, which later merged with other fires to form the Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border. As of Monday, the Snyder Fire was estimated at 28,000 acres.

“These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the Wildland Fire Service,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service was created earlier this year to streamline firefighting on public lands.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,” Fennessy said. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss.”

Officials said a serious accident investigation team is reviewing the circumstances around their deaths.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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