A firefighting pilot from Sooke, British Columbia, has died after the helicopter he was flying crashed into a reservoir in Colorado during wildfire suppression work.
Authorities identified the pilot as Nicholas Dale, 56, who was helping crews battle the Gold Mountain Fire when the aircraft went down.
Crash Happened at Silver Jack Reservoir
The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened at Silver Jack Reservoir on July 12.
Dale was flying a Kaman K-1200 K-MAX helicopter when it crashed into the water. He was the only person on board.
Pilot Was Supporting Gold Mountain Fire Operations
Officials said the helicopter was actively involved in firefighting operations on the Gold Mountain Fire at the time of the crash.
The aircraft had reportedly been conducting water-drop operations from the reservoir before it went down.
Body Recovered by Dive Team
After the crash, the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team recovered Dale’s body from the submerged helicopter.
His remains were then transferred to the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office.
Procession Honours Fallen Pilot
On Monday, law enforcement and emergency vehicles escorted Dale’s body from Gunnison to Grand Junction.
Residents, first responders and public officials lined parts of the route to honour him and show support for the many firefighters working across the western United States.
Colorado Governor Orders Flags Lowered
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said state flags will be lowered to half-staff on the day of Dale’s memorial service.
Polis said the state is committed to supporting firefighters and their families and is ready to assist any investigation into the tragic crash.
Helicopter Express Confirms Dale’s Death
The helicopter was operated by Helicopter Express, a Georgia-based company.
The company confirmed Dale’s death in a tribute, calling it a heartbreaking loss for both Helicopter Express and the wider aerial firefighting community. It said Dale’s dedication, professionalism and commitment to protecting others would not be forgotten.
Dale Survived by Wife and Children
Helicopter Express said Dale is survived by his wife and two children.
The company offered condolences to his family, friends, crewmates and everyone who knew and worked with him.
FAA and NTSB Investigating
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
The FAA said the helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances and became inverted. The cause of the crash has not yet been released.
K-MAX Helicopters Commonly Used in Firefighting
The K-MAX helicopter is a specialized aircraft often used for firefighting, logging, construction and heavy-lift operations.
The aircraft is designed for repeated heavy-lift work, making it useful during wildfire suppression missions that require water or equipment transport.
Gold Mountain Fire Still Burning
The Gold Mountain Fire is burning in southwestern Colorado near Ouray and Ridgway, close to Silver Jack Reservoir.
As of Monday, the fire had burned more than 36,000 acres and was 11 per cent contained, according to Colorado officials.
Dangerous Wildfire Season in Colorado
Dale’s death comes during an especially difficult wildfire season in Colorado.
He is the fourth person killed while fighting wildfires in the state this year. Three federal firefighters died on June 27 while battling the Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border.
Western U.S. Fire Conditions Remain Serious
Several large wildfires continue to burn across the western United States, with hot, dry weather creating dangerous conditions for crews.
The National Weather Service has warned that prolonged heat and dryness will keep fire weather concerns elevated in parts of the region.
Nicholas Dale’s death is a tragic loss for his family, his community in Sooke and the aerial firefighting world. He was working to protect others when his K-MAX helicopter crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir during operations on the Gold Mountain Fire.
As federal investigators work to determine what caused the crash, Colorado residents and emergency crews have honoured Dale’s service, courage and sacrifice during a dangerous wildfire season.