Colorado Firefighting Pilot Dies in Silver Jack Reservoir Crash as 35,600-Acre Blaze Burns On
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 13
Colorado Firefighting Pilot Dies in Silver Jack Reservoir Crash as 35,600-Acre Blaze Burns On
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 13
Summary
Montrose County's dive team recovered the pilot's body Sunday evening from Silver Jack Reservoir after a firefighting aircraft assigned to the Gold Mountain Fire went down.
5:17 p.m. was when dispatchers received the report of an aircraft down in the southwestern corner of Gunnison County; early information indicated the pilot was the only person aboard.
Investigators have not identified the pilot or said what caused the crash, and the body is being taken to the Gunnison County Coroner's Office pending family notification.
The Gold Mountain Fire had burned about 35,600 acres and was 5% contained as of Sunday, with shifting winds expected to keep smoke moving across nearby communities.
An air-quality health advisory for wildfire smoke remains in effect across parts of central, southern and western Colorado as crews continue battling the blaze.