A helicopter pilot from Canada was killed while fighting a wildfire in southwest Colorado late Sunday afternoon.
Nicholas Dale, a firefighter flying a Kaman K-MAX helicopter while battling the Gold Mountain Fire in Gunnison County, died when the aircraft crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir.
Dale's death comes after three other firefighters were killed battling a separate blaze, one of more than a dozen burning across the state.
Divers were able to recover the pilot's body and transported it to the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office.
“I was devastated to hear that Nicholas Dale, a brave frontline fire aviation pilot, died battling the Gold Mountain Fire," Polis said.
"I, and every Coloradan, am deeply grateful for the thousands of brave firefighters and pilots across the state protecting us and our communities. My heart goes out to the pilot’s friends, family, and colleagues who mourn this immense loss," he said.
"We are committed to supporting our brave firefighters and their families, and the State stands ready to support any investigation into this tragic incident. Once selected, state flags will be ordered to fly at half-staff on Nicholas’s memorial date to honor his bravery and sacrifice."
Blazes Burn Statewide
The Gold Mountain Fire is one of more than a dozen wildfires raging across the state of Colorado, according to an interactive map published by The Coloradoan.Dale's death is the fourth death of firefighters battling those fires.
Two other firefighters were injured and received medical care.
The Knowles fire, Gore fire, and Jones fire were all overtaken by the Snyder fire, which continues to burn but is 98 percent contained, according to The Coloradoan. The fire consumed 30,202 acres and caused nearly $8 million in damages.