DENVER ~ Yesterday, Governor Jared Polis of Colorado declared a disaster emergency in response to the Snyder Mesa Fire burning in Mesa County. The fire had crossed the border from Utah into Colorado and was causing significant damage. As part of the emergency declaration, the governor authorized the Colorado National Guard to assist with efforts to recover three U.S. Wildland Fire Service firefighters who tragically lost their lives while battling the blaze.

The governor expressed his devastation over the loss of these heroic firefighters who were killed in the line of duty. He acknowledged the bravery and sacrifice of all those who serve on the front lines of wildfires, risking their lives to protect communities and natural lands. Governor Polis extended his condolences to the loved ones of those lost and assured them that the state stands with them during this difficult time.

The State of Colorado is working closely with local officials, firefighters, and the Bureau of Land Management to deploy all necessary resources to fight this fire. This includes State and interagency engines and handcrews, as well as aviation resources from DFPC (Division of Fire Prevention and Control) and other agencies. Incident management personnel and overhead are also being brought in to assist with managing and containing the fire.

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In addition, DFPC is providing administrative and financial oversight for Mesa County's response efforts, as well as intelligence products such as imaging, mapping, and fire behavior modeling. DHSEM (Department of Public Safety) is also offering support by directly assisting Mesa County's Emergency Manager and providing on-site area field managers for their emergency operations center.

The governor's verbal declaration activated the State Emergency Operations Plan, directing DHSEM and DFPC to take responsibility for all response, recovery, and mitigation efforts related to the Snyder Mesa Fire. This ensures a coordinated effort among all agencies involved in fighting this devastating wildfire.

Governor Polis continues to receive updates from his public safety team regarding the status of the fire. The state remains committed to doing everything possible to contain the fire and support those affected by it. The loss of these three firefighters serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by those who work tirelessly to protect their communities.

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