A fourth firefighter has lost his life following a devastating wildfire encounter near the Colorado-Utah border, federal officials announced Saturday.
Nathan Matthews, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away Friday, according to the federal Interior Department. His death came roughly a month after the fatal incident that also claimed three of his fellow crew members.
U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy expressed grief over the loss, saying, “This is another heartbreaking loss for our wildland fire family.”
Matthews and his colleagues were caught on June 27 in what firefighters call a burnover — a dangerous situation where a fire spreads so rapidly that all escape routes are cut off. The group was part of a Helitack crew, a specialized team transported by helicopter into remote locations to battle fast-growing fires. They had been deployed in Mesa County, Colorado, west of Grand Junction.
In an effort to survive the flames, the firefighters deployed emergency shelters — tent-like protective devices designed to shield them from intense heat. Despite those efforts, three crew members died at the scene: Emily Barker, 38, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson, 26.
Matthews and one other firefighter were transported for medical treatment following the incident. Officials provided no immediate update Saturday on the condition of the remaining injured firefighter.
A memorial service was held earlier this month honoring Watson, Hutcherson, and Barker. Plans for a memorial recognizing Matthews have not yet been announced.
The tragedy is unfolding against a backdrop of widespread fire activity across the western United States this summer. Extended dry conditions, historically low snowfall in some regions, heat waves, and unpredictable winds have all fueled the ongoing fire season.
On Saturday, firefighters were also monitoring a potentially dangerous blaze near Bend, Oregon, with officials expressing concern due to its closeness to populated areas.
