U.S. Department of the Interior

Knowles Fire memorial donations

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U.S. Department of the Interior | BLM Colorado

Garfield County shares this information to provide a more detailed summary for public awareness to honor the commitment and dedication in respect of the five firefighters impacted by the Knowles Fire.

Knowle Fire Memorial Donations graphic

Knowles Fire Memorial Donation Information

Supporting and Honoring the Families and Firefighters Impacted by the Knowles Fire

Many individuals, organizations, and communities have asked how they can show their support. The following donation channels have been chosen by the families.

Individual and Family Support Opportunities

In Memory of Sydney Watson

Donate to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation
This foundation provides support to injured wildland firefighters and the families of firefighters who died in the line-of-duty through immediate and long-term assistance, including travel, emergency financial support, and family services.

Donate to the National Park Foundation in Memory of Sydney Watson
Memorial gifts honor Sydney’s dedication to public lands while supporting the ongoing stewardship and preservation of America’s National Parks.

In Memory of Nicholas “Nick” Hutcherson

Support the Family of Nicholas A. Hutcherson (GoFundMe) This fund was established to provide direct support to Nick’s family and loved ones following his line-of-duty death.

In Memory of Emily Barker

Support Emily Barker’s Family (GoFundMe) This fund was established to assist Emily’s
family with travel and related expenses following her line-of-duty death.

Support For The Five Affected Firefighters and Families

Donate to the Snyder Fire Family Assistance Fund (Alpine Bank) Alpine Bank has established the Snyder Fire Firefighter Families Benefit Account to support the families of the five firefighters impacted by the Snyder Fire. The fund provides direct financial assistance to the families of the three firefighters who lost their lives and the two firefighters who were injured. Alpine Bank has contributed an initial $25,000, and community members, businesses, and organizations are invited to join in supporting these families during this incredibly difficult time. All donated funds will go directly to the affected families.

Thank you for standing with these firefighters, their families, and the entire wildland fire community during this difficult time.

Knowles Fire memorial donations

Memorial service to fallen firefighters – live stream link

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U.S. Department of the Interior, Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The link above will allow you to view the memorial on a live stream video.

The public is welcome to attend the memorial service honoring our fallen firefighters who were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire.

Emily Barker, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.

Nick Hutcherson, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.

Sydney Watson, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Knowles Fire Memorial

July 5, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park
925 Struthers Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Media access will be limited to a staging area outside the venue.

Memorial service to fallen firefighters – live stream link

Memorial service to fallen firefighters

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U.S. Department of the Interior, Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture


The public is welcome to attend the memorial service honoring our fallen firefighters who were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire.

Emily Barker, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.

Nick Hutcherson, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest.

Sydney Watson, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Knowles Fire Memorial

July 5, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park
925 Struthers Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501

Media access will be limited to a staging area outside the venue.

The memorial will be available via a livestream link that will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Memorial service to fallen firefighters

Identities released of three firefighters who died responding to Knowles Fire in Colorado

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U.S. Wildland Fire Service and U.S. Forest Service

We are saddened to share the identities of the three firefighters we lost responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday. The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

The deceased firefighters have been identified as:

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.

Sydney Watson, 27, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

“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,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “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.”

Full press release

U.S. WILDLAND FIRE SERVICE
website | facebook @USWFS

Departments of the Interior and Agriculture coordinating support for families, crews and communities 

MESA COUNTY, Colo. — Federal wildland fire officials are releasing the identities of three firefighters who died while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday.

The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

The deceased firefighters have been identified as:

  • 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.
  • Sydney Watson, 26, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

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.

“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,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “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.”

“This is an incredibly difficult moment for the entire wildland fire community,” said Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher. “Our heavy hearts are with the families during this unimaginable time. We recognize the tremendous impact this loss has on them and are deeply grateful for the devotion their loved ones brought to our organizations. We will honor their memory with compassion and support as their selfless service and commitment create an enduring legacy.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Wildland Fire Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service are closely coordinating response efforts and providing support to the families, coworkers and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy.

A serious accident investigation team has been mobilized and is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The wildland firefighting community mourns the loss of these firefighters. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Identities released of three firefighters who died responding to Knowles Fire in Colorado