06/29/2026
🙏🏽🙏🏽
It is with much regret to inform you, and Brotherhood of 🔥 joins the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the USDA Forest Service, and the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture in profound loss and mourning the tragic loss of three federal wildland firefighters who died responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
Federal officials have released the identities of the fallen: Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack; Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest; and Sydney Watson, 26, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.
These firefighters were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when a burnover occurred, overtaking their position despite their efforts to deploy fire shelters and follow their training in the most extreme conditions.
Two additional firefighters were injured in this incident and are receiving medical care.
We hold them, their families, and their crews close in our thoughts as they begin the long road of recovery, surrounded by a fire service that will not leave them to walk it alone.
The purple ribbon has become a symbol of mourning, strength, and honor across the wildland and structural fire service, reflecting our shared commitment to stand together in grief and remembrance.
Today, we wear that ribbon for Emily, Nick, and Sydney, whose courage and dedication carried them into remote terrain that few will ever see, so that others might remain safe far from the fireline.
To their families, friends, and fellow firefighters: the Brotherhood of 🔥 stands with you.
We will remember their names, carry their stories into our training and leadership, and strive every day to be worthy of the sacrifice they made on behalf of communities they were sworn to protect.
The Snyder Fire has merged with the Jones Fire and subsequently overtook the Knowles and Gore fires.
All fire activity is now being managed and reported as the Snyder Fire. The fire is currently estimated at over 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border.
An interagency complex incident management team has assumed command of the Snyder Fire.
Rest easy, Emily, Nick, and Sydney.
We’ll take it from here. Until we all meet again…
Brotherhood of 🔥
