Firefighting officials have released statements regarding the death of wildland firefighting pilot Juliana Turchetti, who died in a plane crash while fighting the Horse Gulch Fire on Wednesday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share that Juliana Turchetti, a wildland firefighting pilot, died in a plane crash while supporting fire suppression efforts on the Horse Gulch Fire,” said Helena Lewis and Clark Forest Supervisor Emily Platt. “Our deepest condolences go out to Juliana’s family, friends, colleagues, and the firefighting and aviation communities. I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.”
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of Juliana. The IDL firefighting and aviation community has been hit hard by this tragedy,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller. “Wildland firefighters, by air and by ground, step up to do this dangerous work to protect our communities and lands. Juliana has given the ultimate sacrifice. Our hearts are heavy and she will not be forgotten.”
A joint release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Forest Service, and the Idaho Department of Lands said Turchetti was flying a “Fire Boss Air Tractor 802 (AT-802) under contract by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) on loan to the fire in support of the Forest Service suppression efforts.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash with support and cooperation from the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators arrived at the scene Wednesday afternoon, and the plane will be cleared and further examined at a different location.
FireBoss pilot Juliana Turchetti, 45, lost her life when her aircraft crashed into a mountainside and landed in Hauser Lake.
Travia Forte NonStop Local Multimedia Journalist
Update at July 11, 2024, at 11:35 a.m.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff and Coroner Leo Dutton identified the pilot who lost her life while heroically fighting the Horse Gulch Fire in Wednesday’s plane crash.
FireBoss pilot Juliana Turchetti was a 45-year-old mother from Brazil, who was in the U.S. working on a visa. She was employed by Dauntless Air, a firefighting company based out of Idaho.
Turchetti leaves behind a 17-year-old son in Brazil in addition to numerous other family members who live there.
The Horse Gulch Fire is 0% contained near Helena.
Governor Greg Gianforte and Governor Brad Little from the state of Idaho commented on the death in a joint statement.
Update on July 10, 2024, at 9:30 p.m.
Lewis and Clark Sheriff Leo Dutton says that several roads have been blocked off due to the Horse Gulch Fire. Closures include:
Jim Town and Canyon Ferry
Canyon at Broadwater Line
Canyon Ferry and Cave Gulch
Canyon Ferry and Water Dance
Magpie and Canyon Ferry
Update on July 10, 2024, at 5:11 p.m.
The pilot and only occupant of a wildland firefighting plane was killed when the plane crashed at lower Hauser Lake while fighting the Horse Gulch Fire on Wednesday.
The pilot was a 45-year-old woman, whose relatives live outside of the United States, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said at Wednesday’s press conference.
The plane impacted a bank on Hauser Lake and sank. There was an immediate attempt to rescue the pilot, but it was too late.
According to Dutton, there were three ‘scooper’ planes working on the fire Wednesday. The first one to gather water functioned properly before the second one crashed.
The other planes are now back in the air continuing to control this growing fire.
Original
HELENA, Mont. – A wildland firefighting plane working on controlling the Horse Gulch Fire crashed Wednesday afternoon.
Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton confirmed the plane was carrying one pilot and had no other passengers. The pilot’s current condition has not yet been released to the public.
The crash occurred around 12:15 PM on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, approximately five miles south of York and two miles north of Canyon Ferry.
Helena Ranger District told NonStop the plane was a single engine air tanker contracted for the Forest Service that was assigned to the fire.
FAA is moving onto the scene to investigate the incident.
NonStop will update this article as more information becomes available.
The most recent estimate of the fire’s current size is about 600 acres, and it is 0% contained.
Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!
Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
