MESA COUNTY — Nathan Matthews, 43, died on Friday, July 24, from burn injuries sustained during a wildfire operation. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Matthews' death in a release, marking him as the fourth fatality from an incident that occurred weeks earlier.

Matthews died from injuries sustained during a burnover on June 27 while battling the Knowles Fire in western Colorado. The firefighters were deployed in Mesa County, Colorado, west of Grand Junction, when the incident occurred. The fire prompted near Knowles Canyon in Mesa County and has since been identified by another name, the Snyder Fire, which has burned over 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border. The Snyder Fire started in Utah and rapidly spread across the Colorado border.

Five firefighters were involved in the burnover during initial attack operations on the fire. The firefighters deployed tent-like emergency shelters to try to shield themselves from the flames. Three firefighters died at the scene: Emily Barker, 38; Nick Hutcherson, 27; and Sydney Watson, 26.

Matthews and another firefighter were taken for medical treatment. The name of the fifth firefighter has not been released.

Matthews was a member of the Rifle Helitack crew. Matthews was from Lincoln, Nebraska. Emily Barker was from Clinton Township, Michigan.

Nick Hutcherson was from Glendale, Arizona. Sydney Watson was from Warrior, Alabama. Sydney Watson was 27 years old.

Watson, Hutcherson, and Barker were honored at a memorial service earlier in July 2026. Memorial arrangements for Matthews have not yet been announced. A serious accident investigation team continues to review the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center published detailed incident reports, including a 72-hour analysis of the Knowles Fire entrapment, which documented the deployment of fire shelters by the Rifle Helitack crew.

Matthews was the fifth firefighter to die in Colorado in 2026 while battling wildfires, according to The Colorado Sun. Months of dry weather, a record lack of snow in some areas, hot spells, and erratic winds have contributed to wildfires in the western U.S. this summer.

Brian Fennessy is the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief. Fennessy addressed the loss in statements regarding the incident. "This is another heartbreaking loss for our wildland fire family," said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Fennessy. "We mourn the loss of Nate while continuing to grieve the deaths of Emily, Nick and Sydney," said Fennessy.

"Our hearts are with their families, friends, crewmates and everyone impacted by this tragedy," said Fennessy. "We remain committed to supporting those affected and honoring the legacy of all four firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation," said Fennessy. The deaths reflect the risks faced by personnel during aggressive initial attacks on rapidly spreading wildfires in the western United States.