America: Two firefighters killed in helicopter crash while battling wildfires in Utah

The two pilots died when their Sikorsky Sky Crane helicopter crashed on Friday morning, according to the sheriff of Sevier County.

The helicopter was among those battling a wildfire in the Fishlake National Forest. The crash sparked a new fire that merged with the existing blaze, which has so far consumed nearly 174 square miles (about 451 square kilometers).

Officials have not released the pilots’ identities but stated they were employed by Helicopter Transport Services, a contractor for the U.S. Forest Service.

Initially, officials said they could not reach the crash site due to active flames. On Saturday, rescue crews were able to enter the area and confirmed the deaths, according to the Sevier County sheriff and the medical examiner.

The National Transportation Safety Board will launch an investigation as soon as its team can examine the wreckage. The board is likely to take a year or more to determine the cause.

Other wildfires were also burning in various parts of the West, including a fire that led to the closure of part of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state.