Pilots of helicopter that crashed while fighting wildfire in Utah are dead, officials say
The crash ignited a separate vegetation fire as the Widemouth 2 Fire had already burned 118,000 acres, officials said.
- On Friday, a Sikorsky S-64 helicopter crashed while battling the Widemouth fire near Richfield, Utah, killing both contract pilots aboard, officials confirmed.
- The blaze had already consumed more than 118,000 acres in Millard County when the aircraft went down shortly after 10:30 a.m., igniting a separate fire that delayed recovery efforts.
- Helicopter Transport Services employed both pilots under contract with the Forest Service; KUTV identified one pilot as Miles Elliott of Porterville, California, who served on the Porterville Little League Board.
- Porterville Mayor Greg Meister described Elliott as "a devoted father, pilot, entrepreneur, photographer, mentor," while Utah Gov. Spencer Cox honored the crew's sacrifice for the state.
- The National Interagency Fire Center confirmed the deaths on Saturday, and federal investigators opened probes into the crash. Flags at official Porterville facilities will be lowered to honor the fallen pilots.
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Helicopter pilots who died fighting Widemouth 2 Fire remembered for sacrifice
SEVIER COUNTY, Utah, Aug. 11, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Gov. Spencer Cox is among the latest to honor two firefighter pilots who died in the line of duty after their helicopter went down Friday as they battled the Widemouth 2 Fire in Sevier County. “Chris Andersen and Miles Elliott dedicated their lives to serving others, and they made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our state,” said Cox, in ordering this morning that state flags be lowere…
Idaho Capital Sun
Pilots killed in Utah crash praised for their service as U.S. firefighter death toll rises
The Widemouth 2 Fire burns near Fillmore, Utah, in a photo shared by fire officials on Aug. 10, 2026. (Photo courtesy of inter-agency fire officials via InciWeb)Two pilots who died in a helicopter crash while fighting a Utah forest fire were remembered Monday as skilled aviators dedicated to helping attack massive fires from the skies despite the enormous risk. Miles Elliott, of Porterville in southern California, and Christopher Andersen, of …
CA pilot killed in helicopter crash while fighting Utah wildfire
Miles Elliot is being remembered as a devoted public servant after the California pilot was killed in a helicopter crash while battling a massive wildfire in Utah. He is survived by his wife and 9-year-old son.
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