Three Firefighters Die in Colorado Wildfire Burnover

Three firefighters, including Helitack Squad Leader Emily Barker, died in a burnover event while battling initial attack fires in Colorado's Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit on June 27, 2026.

Barker, 38, of the U.S. Forest Service, White River National Forest, was joined by Helitack Crewmember Sydney Watson from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and Helitack Crewmember Nicholas Hutcherson of the U.S. Forest Service, Kaibab National Forest. They were part of the Rifle Interagency and Pittman Valley Helitack Crews.

This tragic incident contributes to the 37 firefighter fatalities reported in 2026. Barker had 18 years of service as a wildland full-time firefighter.