India, Aug. 9 -- Two firefighting pilots were killed when their Sikorsky S-64 helicopter crashed while battling Utah's fast-growing Widemouth 2 Fire, officials confirmed Saturday, as tributes began pouring in for the two crew members who died while working to contain the blaze.

The helicopter, operated by Helicopter Transport Services under contract with the US Forest Service, went down near Richfield in Sevier County at about 10:40 a.m. Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. There were two people aboard.

The pilots' identities had not been publicly released in the latest official statements. Their families have been notified.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox paid tribute to the two firefighters on X, saying they had "Utah will...