Federal authorities on Monday identified the three firefighters who died responding to the Knowles Fire at the Colorado-Utah border.

The U.S. Department of the Interior said the three wildland firefighters were assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew.

“ (They) engaged in initial attack operations on the Knowles Fire when the incident occurred,” said the agency.

The firefighters are:

• Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack

• Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona, assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest

• Sydney Watson, 26, of Warrior, Alabama, assigned to U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and were receiving medical care, the agency said.

A profile from an elementary school in Michigan said Barker was an engine captain for the Bureau of Land Management in Dubois, Idaho. She had graduated summa cum laude from Northern Michigan University with a degree in ski area business management, according to The Grosse Point Academy. She then completed a wildland firefighter apprenticeship program and then went on to work as a snowmaking supervisor in Vail, Colorado, where she won “Snowmaker of the Year” in 2015, her profile from the elementary school said.

She also played travel ice hockey, the elementary school profile said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan offered condolences to Barker’s family.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Clinton Township native, Emily Barker, who lost her life while fighting a wildfire in Colorado,” Whitmer said on social media. “My condolences go out to Emily’s loved ones. Her bravery in the face of danger kept people safe and will not soon be forgotten.”

A friend of Sydney Watson’s family described her as a “light in their family.”

“For many years, anyone who played sports at Corner knew the Watsons. The whole family spread their kindness and generosity to everyone they met,” the family friend said on Facebook. “I wasn’t as close to Sydney, but I heard about her often through Will. He only spoke highly of his sister. She was a light in their family and to those around her. She gave her life trying to protect others, and for that, she will always be remembered.”

U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy said the agency is mourning the loss of the three firefighters who “answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens.”

“Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service,” he said.

The Snyder Fire had merged with the Jones, Knowles and Gore fires and is currently estimated at 28,000 acres. A Complex Incident Management Team assumed command of the Snyder Fire on June 28.