July 22, 2026
Mr. Hurd of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Moore of Utah, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Evans of Colorado, Ms. Boebert, Mr. Kennedy of Utah, Mr. Crank, Mr. Crow, Mr. Owens, Ms. DeGette, Ms. Pettersen, and Ms. Maloy) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Honoring the lives and service of Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nicholas Dale, and all those who serve on the front lines of America’s wildland firefighting efforts.
Whereas the 2026 wildfire season has already placed extraordinary demands on wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel across the Western United States;
Whereas, on June 27, 2026, 3 members of the Rifle, Colorado, Helitack crew, Emily Barker of Michigan, Nick Hutcherson of Arizona, and Sydney Watson of Alabama, gave their lives while responding to the Snyder Fire along the Utah-Colorado border;
Whereas 2 additional firefighters were seriously injured while responding alongside their fallen colleagues;
Whereas, on July 12, 2026, firefighting pilot Nicholas Dale of British Columbia, Canada, gave his life while supporting suppression efforts on the Gold Mountain Fire in Colorado;
Whereas Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, and Nicholas Dale answered the call to protect others, and in doing so gave their lives;
Whereas the members of the Rifle Helitack crew carried out one of the most demanding assignments in wildland firefighting, deploying by helicopter into remote terrain to slow the advance of dangerous wildfires; and
Whereas wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel continue to place themselves in harm’s way to protect lives, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources throughout the United States: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
honors the lives, service, and ultimate sacrifice of Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, and Nicholas Dale;
(2)
expresses its deepest sympathies to their families, friends, and colleagues, and recognizes the courage and continued recovery of the firefighters who were injured in the line of duty;
(3)
expresses the gratitude of the American people to the wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel who continue to protect communities throughout the United States;
(4)
recognizes that protecting communities from catastrophic wildfire requires both responsible stewardship of forests and public lands and continued support for the wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel who place themselves in harm’s way to protect lives, communities, and natural resources; and
(5)
invites all Americans to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who risk their lives each wildfire season in defense of their fellow citizens.