According to Ukrinform, the Associated Press reported the incident.

Two helicopter pilots who crashed while battling a wildfire in Utah were killed, officials confirmed on Saturday.

According to the Sevier County sheriff, the pilots died when their Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter crashed on Friday morning.

The helicopter was among those fighting a wildfire in Fishlake National Forest. The crash sparked a new fire, which spread to the existing blaze that had already burned nearly 451 square kilometers.

Officials did not release the pilots' names but said they were employees of Helicopter Transport Services, a company working under contract with the U.S. Forest Service.

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Initially, officials said they were unable to reach the crash site because of the fire. On Saturday, however, crews were able to access the area and confirmed the pilots' deaths, according to the Sevier County sheriff.

As reported by The Guardian, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash and is waiting for an opportunity to examine the helicopter wreckage.

The NTSB is likely to need a year or more to determine the cause of the crash.

The western US states have been experiencing a deadly wildfire season. In June, three firefighters were killed while battling a blaze on the border between Colorado and Utah. A fourth firefighter later died from burns sustained while responding to the emergency.