Three Firefighters Killed Fighting Snyder Fire on Utah-Colorado Border

Three firefighters were killed and two others injured on Saturday while responding to the Snyder Fire along the Utah-Colorado border. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service said the deaths occurred during an interagency response to the Knowles and Gore fires, which combined with the Snyder Mesa Fire.

That fire originated in east Utah's Grand County before spreading into Colorado's Mesa County. The Snyder Fire has burned roughly 28,000 acres and remains at zero percent containment. Colorado officials declared a disaster emergency on Saturday and authorized National Guard support.

Utah officials had declared an emergency earlier in the week, which cleared the way for a fireworks ban ahead of the July Fourth holiday. Several other large fires are active across the region. The Cottonwood Fire in Utah's Paiute and Beaver counties has grown to about 92,254 acres with zero containment and has destroyed part of a ski resort and other summer cabins.

The Iron Fire covers roughly 41,467 acres at 38 percent containment in Juab, Tooele and Utah counties, while the Cherry Fire spans about 30,766 acres with zero containment in Juab and Tooele counties. Rocky Mountain Power shut off lines serving Beaver County and other Utah areas as a safety measure.

Nearly 3 million acres have burned nationwide since the start of the year, exceeding the 10-year average.

"The U.S. Wildland Fire Service stands united with the USDA Forest Service in grief and in our unwavering support for the loved ones left behind. Their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten," the agency said in a June 28 statement.