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Helicopter battling US wildfire crashes, fears for crew

By AAP Newswire

Aug 8, 2026

Fire fighting helicopter — A helicopter battling a fire caused by lightning has crashed in Utah with two people on board. -AP

A helicopter helping battle a large Utah wildfire has crashed, the Federal Aviation Administration says, with no immediate word on the conditions of the two aboard.

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The helicopter was one of seven working a fire in central Utah caused by lightning on July 27.

The fire had grown to 427 square kilometres and was 19 per cent contained by Friday.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the helicopter crashed in Richfield, about 258km south of Salt Lake City.

The Sevier County Sheriff did not immediately respond to questions about the crash, and FAA and wildfire officials did not have information on the condition of the two people who were on board.

The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA will investigate, but might not be able to safely reach the scene immediately if the wildfire is burning nearby.

Crews were warned on Friday morning that erratic winds, dry fuels and hot temperatures were on tap, with potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning.

Red flag warnings were in effect.

Months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells and erratic winds have contributed to blazes in Utah.

Four firefighters were killed in Colorado after they were overcome by a fast-moving wildfire near the Utah border in June.