Lead Wildland Firefighter Emily Barker - United States Forest Service

Lead Wildland Firefighter Emily Barker - United States Forest Service

On June 27, 2026, multiple firefighters with the United States Forest Service were killed in the line of duty while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado.  The firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew and were engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred.

One of the deceased firefighters  was Lead Wildland Firefighter Emily Barker who was 38-years-old and was from Clinton Township, Michigan.  Firefighter Barker had dedicated herself to protecting America’s forests and natural landscapes. Her professionalism, leadership, and steadfast commitment earned the admiration of everyone who worked alongside her. Barker’s courage was matched only by her compassion, and she inspired those around her through her resilience, generosity, and quiet strength. She leaves behind a legacy of service that will never be forgotten.

The firefighters who were killed during this wildfire served on a specialized Helitack crew, an elite team trained to respond rapidly to emerging wildfires in remote and often inaccessible areas. Their work required exceptional skill, physical endurance, and the courage to enter some of the most dangerous environments imaginable. Every mission carried uncertainty, yet they accepted those risks because they believed in protecting lives, preserving communities, and safeguarding the nation’s natural resources.

Firefighter Emily Barker and four other firefighters with the Rifle Helitack Team were dropped into a fire in western Mesa County on June 27, a day when winds were whipping 30 to 50 mph and western Colorado was in virtual air fryer mode. Two new fires, the Knowles and Gore fires, had flared to the east of two large Utah fires that had merged into one and darkened Western Slope skies.  The five firefighters were dropped by helicopter into a remote area to fight the new fires. But shortly after noon, satellite imagery showed that another lightning-caused ignition had blown up not far from the firefighters. 

Just before 3 p.m., the crew requested that a helicopter pick them up. Within 10 minutes, a helicopter lifted off from the Grand Junction firefighting headquarters and headed out to rescue them. The trip took only five minutes, but by the time the helicopter reached the firefighters the smoke was so thick it was unable to lane.  

The firefighters deployed their shelters — basically fireproof pup tents that are standard last-resort gear for wildland firefighters. But the flames roared over the top of them.

Emily Rose Barker, 38 of Glenwood Springs, Colorado (originally from Clinton Township, Michigan), was a brave and dedicated firefighter for 17 years, she was a Lead Wildland Firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack Crew on the White River National Forest.

In 2009, Firefighter Barker received degrees from Northern Michigan University and Gogebic for Ski Area Management. While in college, she started as a volunteer firefighter with Ironwood Township Fire Department and knew she found her calling.

After graduating, she moved to Colorado for snow making, spending winters in Vail and summers doing prescribed burns and fighting wildfires across the US. Firefighter Barker excelled in both fields – a strong leader and a role model to young women looking to pursue male-dominated fields. Among her many accomplishments, she was an Engine Captain during her time with the Bureau of Land Management in Idaho (2018-2023). She spent many winters working as a Lead Snowmaker and was the first woman to earn the title “Snowmaker of the Year” in Colorado (2015).

Firefighter Emily Barker is survived by her brother Nick (Kim), sister Lisa (Scott), nieces and nephew (Lilia, Phoebe and Remi), and mother Rosemary (David).

Our prayers and condolences to Firefighter Emily Barker's family both at home as well as with the United States Forest Service.

firefighter emily barker united states forest service




 

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