Three firefighters have lost their lives while tackling a massive wildfire that has been raging across the Colorado-Utah border, officials confirmed this morning. The blaze, which began on Friday afternoon near the remote town of Rangely, has already consumed more than 12,000 acres of dry woodland and scrub, fuelled by gale-force winds and weeks of drought. The victims, all experienced wildland firefighters, were caught in a sudden shift of the fire front while working to protect a small community that has since been evacuated.
Their names have not yet been released pending notification of family. The fire remains completely uncontained, with over 500 personnel from multiple agencies now deployed across both states. 'This is a tragic day for the firefighting community,' said a spokesperson for the US Forest Service, adding that an investigation will be launched into the circumstances of the deaths.
The inferno, dubbed the 'Cache Fire', has already destroyed at least six structures and forced the evacuation of several hundred residents from scattered homesteads. Local authorities have warned that winds are expected to pick up again later today, making conditions even more treacherous. The three deaths bring the total number of firefighters killed in the US this year to 17, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
In a statement, Colorado Governor Jared Polis said: 'Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of these brave men and women who gave everything in service to their communities.' The fire is one of several burning across the West amid a severe heatwave that has left vast areas tinder-dry. Firefighters from as far away as Montana and New Mexico are now mobilising to assist, but officials caution that full containment could take weeks.
