In memory of Helitack Crewmember Nathan Matthews

U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Upper Colorado River Management Unit, Rifle Interagency Helitack · Rifle, CO

Nathan Matthews, Helitack Crewmember of U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Upper Colorado River Management Unit, Rifle Interagency Helitack, a firefighter / EMS, died in the line of duty on July 24, 2026 in Rifle, CO.

Record

Rank: Helitack Crewmember
Department: U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Upper Colorado River Management Unit, Rifle Interagency Helitack
Location: Rifle, CO
End of watch: July 24, 2026
Nature of death: Burns
Years of service: 11
Age: 43

Circumstances

Firefighters from the Rifle Interagency and Pittman Valley Helitack Crews were involved in a burnover event while responding to initial attack fires in the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR). Nathan Matthews (USWFS - UCR) was medivacked to a burn unit. Despite these efforts, Helitack Crewmember Matthews succumbed to his injuries on July 24, 2026. Sydney Watson (USWFS - UCR), Emily Barker (USFS - UCR), and Nick Hutcherson (USFS – Kaibab NF) died at the scene.

This record appears on the RESPONDin line-of-duty memorial wall, a public remembrance of first responders who died in the line of duty. Source: usfa import.