A fatal helicopter accident occurred on Friday, August 7, during water dropping operations for the Widemouth 2 Fire, involving a Type 1 Sky Crane aircraft. The crash occurred as crews fought the massive wildfire that ignited on July 27, 2026, southwest of Kanosh, Utah.
Details of the Aviation Mishap
According to the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, the mishap involved an exclusive use contracted CH-54A Sky Crane. At 10:41 AM on August 7, contact was lost with the aircraft while it was actively engaged in water dropping. Officials confirmed a mishap occurred and subsequently located the wreckage.
Recovery and Investigation Efforts
Initial recovery efforts following the crash were complicated by the hazardous environment. The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center reported that rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by the difficult terrain, active fire behavior, and heavy smoke in the area.
Following the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was notified. The NTSB is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Forest Service Aircraft Mishap Investigation Team.
Widemouth 2 Fire Background
The accident occurred as firefighting personnel worked to contain the Widemouth 2 Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire that began on July 27, 2026. The fire originated six miles south of Kanosh in the Fillmore District of the Fishlake National Forest.
Fire Size and Containment
The wildfire has grown to cover 114,957 acres, according to data from InciWeb. As of August 9, 2026, the fire reached 27% containment. The fire is located approximately 2 miles southwest of Kanosh and is being managed by the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 2, under Incident Commander Tony Demasters and Tyler Hecht.
Fire Behavior and Fuel Conditions
The fire's behavior has been described as extremely active due to the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions. According to InciWeb, the fuels involved include six-foot chaparral, two-foot brush, and extremely dry juniper and oak, which have contributed to intense fire activity.
Significant fire behaviors observed include extreme crowning, group torching, and long-range spotting. Incident reports noted that hot, dry, and windy conditions have driven rapid surface spread and tree torching. There is also a documented risk of dry thunderstorms in the area, which could produce gusty outflow winds and erratic wind flows that may accelerate fire spread and intensity.
Ongoing Fire Management
Fire management strategies for the Widemouth 2 Fire involve a combination of indirect confinement and direct extinguishment. Current planned actions include patrolling and monitoring the area from Kanosh to Fillmore and continuing line preparation north of Fillmore toward the Wild Goose Fire.
Community Protection Efforts
Firefighters are working to maintain containment lines to keep the fire north and west of I-70 and away from the communities of Joseph, Elsinore, and Richfield. As of the latest reports, the estimated containment date for the Widemouth 2 Fire is August 30, 2026.
