Search teams recovered the body of a pilot from Silver Jack Reservoir on Monday after their aircraft crashed during firefighting operations in southwestern Colorado.
The pilot was the sole occupant of the plane, which went down Sunday evening while battling the massive Gold Mountain Fire near the Uncompahgre National Forest.
The wildfire has consumed more than 31,000 acres since igniting in late June, threatening areas around Ouray and Ridgway.
The recovery effort was led by the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office dive team following an emergency call received at approximately 5:17 p.m. on July 12.
The aircraft crashed into the man-made reservoir, which was built in the late 1960s to impound the East Fork of the Cimarron River for local irrigation.
Gunnison County Sheriff Adam Murdie provided an update on the status of the search following the arrival of specialized dive units at the scene.
“Dive Team has recovered the body of the pilot from the aircraft. The body will be transported to the Gunnison County Coroner’s Office,” Murdie stated.
Officials noted that the identity of the pilot is being withheld as authorities work to notify the individual’s family members of the loss.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is currently being handled by the Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division.