United States Fire Administration
25 August 2026
EMMITSBURG, Md. — The United States Fire Administration (USFA) has announced the on-duty death of Pilot Nicholas Dale, 56, of Helicopter Express on 12 July 2026.
Pilot Nicholas Dale was killed while conducting firefighting operations on the Gold Mountain Fire when his helicopter crashed in the Silver Jack Reservoir located in southwestern Gunnison County, Colorado. Investigation into the incident continues.
Age: 56
Rank: Pilot
Classification: Wildland Contract
Incident date: July 12, 2026 5:17 PM
Date of death: July 12, 2026
Cause of fatal injury: Vehicle Collision – Includes Aircraft
Nature of fatal injury: Trauma
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Outdoor Property
The number of on-duty deaths for 2026 is currently 57.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2026.
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”
Photo courtesy of family and friends of Nicholas Dale, online.
Data Not Drama 