After firefighting deaths, advocates alarmed by ‘deepening wildfire crisis,’ agencies’ strategies

This year’s dangerous, deadly wildfire season is marked by heat, drought and a change in federal strategy. A group of Utah researchers is working to help making the job safer.

By: Annie Knox

Outlets: Utah News Dispatch

Published: August 25, 2026

Words: 1,173

Last Updated: 20 hours, 42 minutes ago

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Help was on the way. Five firefighters were about to be flown to safety after a new wildfire broke out on rugged terrain at the Utah-Colorado border in June, whipped by furious, dry winds.

But it was too smoky for the helicopter to land, according to a preliminary federal report, and the raging fire overtook the crew on June 27. Four of its members died as a result in the deadliest such …

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