A pilot involved in firefighting operations for the Gold Mountain fire in Colorado died after his aircraft crashed into Silver Jack reservoir, authorities said.
The Gunnison County Sheriff's Office received a report of the incident at approximately 5:17 p. m.
on Sunday. The aircraft went down in the reservoir in southwestern Gunnison County.
The sheriff's office confirmed the aircraft was engaged in firefighting operations for the Gold Mountain fire, which has been burning since June 27.
Initially, officials believed only one person was on board. A dive team was deployed to locate the pilot.
Later that day, the Montrose County Sheriff's Office Dive Team recovered the pilot's body.
The remains were sent to the coroner's office in Gunnison, and further information was withheld pending family notification.
Gold Mountain Fire Update
As of Monday morning, the Gold Mountain fire has consumed over 35,000 acres and is only 13% contained.
Evacuation orders are in effect for parts of southwestern Gunnison County.
The cause of the wildfire remains undetermined. The fire was first reported northeast of Ouray County.
On July 1, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced that the state secured a FEMA grant to aid firefighting efforts for the Gold Mountain fire.
