Colorado firefighting pilot killed when plane crashes into reservoir

A pilot helping battle a raging Colorado wildfire was found dead after the firefighting aircraft crashed into a mountain reservoir Sunday evening, authorities said.

The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team has recovered the pilot’s body from Silver Jack Reservoir, Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie said in a statement. The body will be taken to the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office.

The pilot’s name has not been released while authorities notify family members.

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The crash was reported at about 5:17 p.m. Sunday after the Gunnison Regional Communications Center received a call about an aircraft down in Silver Jack Reservoir in the southwestern corner of Gunnison County.

Sheriff’s officials said the aircraft was assigned to the Gold Mountain Fire, which has been burning in southwestern Colorado. Early information indicated the pilot was the only person on board.

Investigators have not said what caused the aircraft to crash. Deputies, investigators and the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office dive team responded to the scene.

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The Gold Mountain Fire has burned about 35,600 acres and was 5% contained as of Sunday, according to the Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program. Fire officials expect the blaze to remain active, with shifting winds likely to push smoke into different communities over the next several days.

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An air quality health advisory for wildfire smoke remains in effect across parts of central, southern and western Colorado.

Authorities said they will release additional information after the pilot’s next of kin has been notified.