SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox ordered Utah flags to be flown at half-staff beginning Tuesday to honor two firefighting pilots who died while battling the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah. The order will remain in effect until the last day of internment for the pilots, state officials said.
State and federal leaders pay tribute
The deceased were identified as Chris Andersen, 64, of Nevada, and Miles Elliott, 50, of California. Both men were aboard a Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter that crashed the morning of Aug. 7 while engaged in aerial suppression efforts. The crash ignited nearby vegetation, creating a separate blaze that merged with the existing fire.
Local and state leaders joined members of Congress in acknowledging the sacrifice of the two pilots. U.S. Sen. John Curtis, in a press release, highlighted the broader risks faced by wildfire responders and noted that bipartisan federal lawmakers had recently introduced a resolution to honor those who lose their lives fighting wildfires.
“Behind every wildfire are brave men and women who embody the very best of public service: courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to protecting our communities, often at great personal risk,”
The resolution, originally proposed to honor firefighters who died fighting the Snyder Fire along the Utah-Colorado border, was noted by Curtis to be relevant to the recent fatalities in central Utah.
How the crash unfolded and the response
According to investigators and officials relayed in news releases, the helicopter crashed on Aug. 7. The resulting ignition of vegetation produced a new conflagration that connected to the preexisting Widemouth 2 Fire. Search-and-rescue and ground crews initially could not reach the crash site because of active fire and terrain; access was achieved the following day, at which time both pilots were confirmed dead.
Authorities have not released a determination of the crash’s cause. State and federal agencies are conducting an investigation into the incident; officials have said the cause is under investigation and have not provided a timeline for completion of that work.
What is known and what remains unclear
- Known: Two pilots — Chris Andersen and Miles Elliott — were killed when their Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter crashed Aug. 7 while fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire.
- Known: The crash sparked vegetation to ignite and link with the existing fire; search-and-rescue teams confirmed both fatalities when they reached the site the next day.
- Unclear: The official cause of the crash and contributing factors have not been released pending the ongoing investigation.
Family statements have been shared publicly via relatives and fundraising pages, and memorials are being discussed by community members and agencies involved in wildfire response.
Local impact and memorial actions
The governor’s half-staff proclamation is a visible sign of statewide mourning and recognition of the danger faced by wildland firefighters and aviation crews. Flags in front of the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City were lowered Tuesday in observance of the order.
U.S. Sens. Mike Lee and John Hickenlooper, along with Colorado Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, were mentioned in connection with the bipartisan legislative resolution honoring wildfire responders who die in the line of duty. The gesture underscores the shared interstate and federal interest in supporting fire personnel and families affected by wildland incidents.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Incident | Helicopter crash during Widemouth 2 Fire suppression |
| Victims | Chris Andersen, 64 (Nevada); Miles Elliott, 50 (California) |
| Date | Aug. 7 (crash); site accessed and fatalities confirmed the following day |
| Investigation | Ongoing; cause not yet released |
| State action | Flags ordered at half-staff by Gov. Spencer Cox until internment |
What residents should know
Officials have not issued new evacuation orders tied specifically to the crash site, but the Widemouth 2 Fire remains an active wildfire incident managed by interagency teams. Residents in affected areas should follow guidance from local emergency management and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. For the latest road and evacuation information, consult county emergency pages and official social media feeds of local fire agencies.
As investigations continue, families of the fallen pilots and colleagues in the firefighting community are receiving outreach and support. Memorial plans and further public remembrances are expected to be announced as details are finalized.
State and federal officials say the incident is a somber reminder of the hazards that wildfire response crews face across the West. The half-staff proclamation places Utah alongside other jurisdictions honoring lives lost protecting communities during the wildfire season.
