Canadian pilot killed in Colorado wildfire helicopter crash

A pilot from British Columbia was killed on Sunday, July 12, 2026, when the helicopter he was flying crashed into a reservoir while battling a wildfire in southwestern Colorado. Authorities identified the pilot as 56-year-old Nicholas Dale of Sooke, British Columbia.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:17 p.m. local time in the Silver Jack Reservoir, a remote area within the Uncompahgre National Forest southwest of Aspen. Dale was the sole occupant of the Kaman K-MAX helicopter, which was assigned to support suppression efforts on the Gold Mountain Fire. The Montrose County Sheriff's Office Dive Team recovered his body from the submerged aircraft later that evening, and it was transferred to the Gunnison County Coroner's Office.

On Monday, July 13, a procession of law enforcement vehicles carried Dale's body from Gunnison to Grand Junction, with residents lining the route to honor the fallen pilot. Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed gratitude to those protecting the state from wildfires and ordered that state flags be flown at half-staff once a memorial service for Dale is scheduled. The helicopter was owned by Georgia-based Helicopter Express, which stated Dale is...