One of three firefighters killing fighting a Colorado wildfire on Saturday, June 27, was a southeast Michigan woman, department of Interior officials announced on Monday, June 29.

Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack crew. She died from burns while engaging in the initial attack on the Knowles Fire in Mesa County in western Colorado near the Utah border.

The two other fallen firefighters were identified as Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the USFS Kaibab National Forest; and Sydney Watson, 27, Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the USFS Rifle Helitack crew.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,” U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said in a June 29 announcement. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service. Please join me and my family in keeping our thoughts and prayers with the families of the fallen and our injured firefighters and their families.”

Barker was a graduate of Grosse Pointe Academy and alumna of Northern Michigan University with a degree in ski area business management, the school said in a 2020 Facebook post.

The firefighters from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service were battling the Knowles and Gore fires near the Colorado-Utah border June 27 when the incident occurred in Colorado, the U.S. Department of the Interior stated in a June 28 news release.

The firefighters were killed and injured during a burnover, which occurs when fire behavior changes and unexpectedly overtakes firefighters. The firefighters had deployed their protective shelters, according to a U.S. Forest Service news release June 28.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared her condolences with Michigan firefighter’s family in a Facebook post.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Clinton Township native, Emily Barker, who lost her life while fighting a wildfire in Colorado,” Whitmer said on Facebook on June 29. “My condolences go out to Emily’s loved ones. Her bravery in the face of danger kept people safe and will not soon be forgotten.”

As of Tuesday, June 30, the wildfire, known as the Snyder Fire, had consumed 30,163 acres, according to Map of Fire.

The blaze began Saturday, June 27, during a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service due to strong winds, low humidity and dry fuel. The fire prompted evacuations.

The state is facing several other wildfires and is covered in red flag warnings as of Tuesday morning, June 30.

Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com

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