Fourth Firefighter Dies From June Colorado Wildfire
Nathan Matthews has died from burns from a wildfire operation. The fire was near the Colorado-Utah border in June.
Matthews was 43 and from Lincoln, Nebraska. He died Friday nearly a month after the incident.
He is the fourth firefighter to die from this same wildfire. A fast-moving wildfire overcame him during firefighting operations.
The four firefighters were part of a helicopter crew. They were fighting the Snyder Fire in Mesa County, Colorado.
That area is near Grand Junction, Colorado. They got caught in a sudden fire surge on June 27.
Three others named Watson, Hutcherson and Barker died at the scene. They were honored at a memorial service earlier this month. Matthews' death marks the fourth fatality from this wildfire.
Klear Note — Wildfires spread fast and can trap firefighters suddenly. Helicopter crews fight fires from above in remote areas.
Key Terms 2
- Helitack crew A firefighting team that travels and works using helicopters.
- Burnover When a wildfire suddenly overtakes and traps firefighters.