A veteran firefighting pilot from Sooke has died after the helicopter he was flying crashed into a Colorado reservoir while battling a wildfire.
The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office identified the pilot as Nicholas Dale, 56, of Sooke. Dale was flying a Kaman K-1200 K-MAX helicopter conducting aerial suppression work on the Gold Mountain Fire when it crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12.
Dale was the aircraft’s only occupant. His body was recovered from the submerged helicopter by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and transferred to the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office.
On Monday, July 13, hundreds of residents, firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency responders lined Highway 50 between Gunnison and Grand Junction as a procession escorted Dale. Many waved American flags in tribute to the pilot and wildfire crews battling blazes across Colorado.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called Dale ‘a brave frontline fire aviation pilot’ and announced state flags will be lowered to half-staff on the day of his memorial service.
“I, and every Coloradan, am deeply grateful for the thousands of brave firefighters and pilots across the state protecting us and our communities,” Polis said.
The helicopter was operated by Helicopter Express, which confirmed Dale’s death.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of a valued member of the Helicopter Express family,” the company said in a statement. “Nick’s dedication, professionalism and commitment to protecting others will never be forgotten.”
The company said Dale is survived by his wife and two children.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. The FAA said the helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances and came to rest inverted in the reservoir.
The Gold Mountain Fire has burned more than 36,000 acres in southwestern Colorado and was 11 per cent contained as of Monday. More than 170 people remain under evacuation orders as crews continue working to contain the blaze.
Dale’s death is the fourth wildfire-related firefighter fatality in Colorado this summer and comes as the state faces multiple large wildfires amid hot, dry conditions. Last week, Colorado firefighters gathered to honour three colleagues killed while battling another wildfire near the Utah border.