Three firefighters were killed and two were injured while battling massive wildfires on the Colorado-Utah border on Saturday, officials said. The firefighters were part of a federal response team assigned to the Knowles and Gore fires. They were suddenly overwhelmed by flames and tried to take shelter, the Department of the Interior said.

The two injured firefighters suffered burns and were taken to hospital. The US Wildland Fire Service said: "Our immediate focus is on supporting their families, friends, and fellow crewmates during this incredibly difficult time." The names of the deceased have not been released.

The Knowles and Gore fires have since merged to form the Snyder Mesa fire, which as of Saturday had burned around 28,000 acres. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency, authorizing the state's National Guard to join the response efforts.

"I'm devastated about the loss of three heroic firefighters who died in the line of duty in Western Colorado," Polis said. "To the loved ones of those lost, and to their fellow crew members – some who are still battling the flames – know that the State of Colorado mourns alongside you."

In Utah, the largest active blaze is the Cottonwood Fire, covering over 93,000 acres with 0% containment. Governor Spencer Cox issued an emergency order banning fireworks ahead of the July 4 weekend.

The fires are mostly in sparsely populated areas but have threatened some resorts and cabins. Warmer winters and high winds have fueled recent fires. Scientists say climate change is making conditions like heat and drought more likely, leading to more frequent and intense wildfires.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk