A fourth firefighter has died after suffering burn injuries while battling the Knowles wildfire in western Colorado in late June.
Nathan Matthews, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, succumbed to injuries sustained during the firefighting operation, the U.S. Department of the Interior said in a statement.
“This is another heartbreaking loss for our wildland fire family,” U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said, acknowledging the three other firefighters who died while responding to the Knowles Fire. Officials said fast-moving flames and strong, shifting winds created dangerous and unpredictable conditions for crews on the ground.
Matthews was one of five firefighters caught in a burnover, a life-threatening situation in which flames rapidly overrun an area and cut off escape routes. The crew had been conducting initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire, which ignited near Knowles Canyon in Mesa County before being overtaken by the Snyder Fire, a separate blaze that began in Utah and pushed quickly across the Colorado state line.
U.S. Wildland Fire Service
The Department of the Interior said the fire is now referred to as the Snyder Fire and has scorched more than 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border.
Emily Barker, 38, Nick Hutcherson, 27, and Sydney Watson, 27, were members of the Rifle Helitack crew and were also carrying out initial attack operations, officials said. All three died at the scene.
“We mourn the loss of Nate while continuing to grieve the deaths of Emily, Nick and Sydney. Our hearts are with their families, friends, crewmates and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Fennessy said.
Matthews had been undergoing treatment for his burn injuries before his death. Officials have not released the name of the fifth firefighter involved in the burnover.
“We remain committed to supporting those affected and honoring the legacy of all four firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” Fennessy said.
