Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRiley HoffmanMonday 13 July 2026 14:05 BSTFirefighters drive along Highway 550 as they try to access the Gold Mountain Fire on the town line of Ouray and Ridgeway, Colorado (Michael Seamans/The Gazette via AP)A pilot died after their aircraft, assisting in the fight against a Colorado wildfire, crashed into the Silver Jack Reservoir on Sunday.The pilot, believed to be the sole occupant, was involved in operations against the Gold Mountain Fire, which has been active for two weeks.The Gold Mountain Fire has expanded to approximately 148 square kilometres and was only 13 per cent contained as of Monday morning.This incident follows the deaths of three other wildland firefighters last week, who were trapped by flames on the Colorado-Utah border.Numerous large wildfires continue to burn across the western United States, with prolonged hot and dry conditions expected to heighten fire weather concerns.In fullPilot killed fighting Colorado wildfire after plane crashes into reservoirMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in