‘No known survivors’ in helicopter crash that was assisting with New Mexico wildfire

Officials say the four from Bernalillo County were assisting with the East Mesa Fire

LAS VEGAS, N.M – Four people helping to contain a wildfire in New Mexico were killed Saturday in a helicopter crash.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that three people from their department and one Bernalillo County Fire Department member died in the crash. 

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"These personnel were headed back to Albuquerque after assisting fire crews with the East Mesa Fire," officials said. "There are no known survivors."

The helicopter and its crew were providing bucket drops, and other air logistics needs to fire crews on the ground.

The four were later identified as  Undersheriff Larry Koren, Lieutenant Fred Beers, Deputy Michael Levison and Rescue Specialist Matthew King.

Crews have been working tirelessly to fight wildfires within this region of New Mexico.

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Within the same area of the crash, the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history continues to burn.

The Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon, located just northwest of Las Vegas, New Mexico, has torched more than 340,000 acres since early April.

The Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fire originated as two separate fires but merged into one in late April. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes as the wildfire raged.

The helicopter crash remains under investigation.

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