Aircraft goes down in Colorado reservoir while fighting Gold Mountain Fire; 1 body recovered

Dive teams were called to Silver Jack Reservoir in western Colorado on Sunday after a firefighting aircraft went down in the water. The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t said if the aircraft was a plane or helicopter.

The sheriff’s office said in a news release Sunday night that it appeared there was only one person on board.

Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie later said in another release that a body was recovered from the aircraft and was being taken to the county coroner’s office.

He said the person’s identity wouldn’t be released until next of kin are notified.

The aircraft was involved in the fight against the Gold Mountain Fire, which started late last month and is only 5% contained. The burn area covers more than 35,601 acres, according to InciWeb, the national incident information system for wildfires.

The aircraft went down at 5:17 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office. The reservoir is in southwestern Gunnison County.

The cause of the Gold Mountain Fire hasn’t been determined.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place in some areas east and northeast of the city of Ouray. There are no evacuations within city limits.