A pilot was killed Sunday when his helicopter went down while battling wildfires in western Colorado, local authorities confirmed.
The Gunnison County Sheriff's Office reported on Facebook that 56-year-old Nicholas Dale, from Sooke, British Columbia, died after his K-MAX helicopter—built by Kaman Aircraft—crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir around 5:17 p.m. MDT. The reservoir sits in a high mountain valley within the Uncompahgre National Forest.
Dale was actively engaged in suppressing the Gold Mountain Fire, which ignited on June 27 near Ouray, Colorado. According to the U.S. Forest Service's InciWeb system, the blaze has scorched more than 36,200 acres and was only 11 percent contained as of Monday morning.
Late Sunday, a dive team from the Montrose County Sheriff's Office recovered Dale's body from the submerged helicopter and transferred it to the Gunnison County Coroner's Office, the sheriff's office said.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration announced Monday they are investigating the incident, with the NTSB taking the lead. The FAA's preliminary report noted the crash occurred under unknown circumstances and that Dale was the sole occupant of the K-1200 helicopter.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed devastation over the loss. In a statement Monday, he said the state's flags would be lowered to half-staff on the day of Dale's memorial. “My heart goes out to the pilot’s friends, family, and colleagues who mourn this immense loss,” Polis said. “We are committed to supporting our brave firefighters and their families, and the State stands ready to support any investigation into this tragic incident.”
Meanwhile, the ongoing Gold Mountain Fire has prompted the Forest Service to close numerous public lands in the area. As of July 2, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests' Ouray Ranger District had shut down access to at least 15 trailheads, campgrounds, and cabins. The firefighting effort comes amid broader political dynamics in Colorado, where recent primaries signaled a leftward shift in the state's politics.
In addition, the GMUG forests are responding to the Elk Fire in the Uncompahgre Wilderness, which started Thursday and has grown to 344 acres as of Monday afternoon. The Forest Service noted the fire is burning in rugged terrain within wilderness boundaries, complicating access and requiring specialized resources. Crews are working to establish containment, and there are no immediate threats to communities or infrastructure.
The crash adds to a string of recent helicopter incidents, including a U.S. Navy commander lost in an Arabian Sea helicopter incident earlier this year. The NTSB and FAA are expected to release further details as their investigation progresses.
