Governor Polis Announces Flags Will Fly at Half Staff on the Days of Memorials to Honor Three Wildland Fire Service Firefighters Who Died During Containment Efforts of Snyder Mesa Fire in Mesa County
Today, Governor Polis announced that all flags on state buildings will fly at half-staff on the memorials of three heroes: Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson, U.S. Wildland Fire Service wildland firefighters who died responding to the Snyder Mesa Fire burning in Mesa County. This fire is currently estimated to be over 28,000 acres. More details will follow once memorial dates are selected.
The US Department of the Interior released the names of the fallen earlier this morning. Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack. Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest. Sydney Watson, 26, of Warrior, Alabama, was assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.
“Firefighters face incredible risk and put their lives on the line to respond to wildfires, keep Coloradans safe, and protect our communities. I was devastated to hear that Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us. I and every Coloradan are deeply grateful for their bravery and service and my thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow crew members. I have ordered flags to fly at half-staff on the days of each of their memorials once selected to honor their sacrifice and service,” said Governor Polis.
On Saturday, Governor Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the Snyder Mesa Fire in Mesa County and authorized the National Guard to support efforts to recover the three firefighters who gave their lives in response to the Snyder Mesa Fire. The Governor also released a statement outlining the state’s coordination with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service to rescue and evacuate two injured firefighters hurt in the line of duty with one of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Bell 205 helicopters.
