Federal authorities on Monday identified the three firefighters who died responding to the Knowles Fire at the Colorado-Utah border, one of whom once worked for a resort in Vail.

Across Colorado, several fires are burning, with zero containment in what had been a frantic and deadly start to the state’s wildfire season.

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. They have been transported to metro Denver. As of Monday, they are in stable condition at the University of Colorado Anschutz, the medical campus in Aurora, where they are recovering.

The Snyder Mesa fire in Mesa County has so far burned about 30,000 acres and, as of Monday, remained zero percent contained, according to officials. Evacuation orders were in effect. On Saturday, Gov. Jared Polis issued a verbal state disaster emergency declaration. Mesa County’s disaster declaration was approved Sunday.

The Knowles and Gore fires started late in the evening of June 26 after lightning strikes and were originally reported having burned less than an acre each by noon of the next day. The Snyder fire then merged with the Jones, Knowles and Gore fires.

As emergency responders battled a series of wildfires across the state, warm and dry weather conditions have placed more than half the state under red-flag fire warnings on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Conditions were not expected to change much during the week, with forecast high temperatures in the upper 80s for Colorado Springs, lower 90s for Denver and upper 90s for Pueblo, where the thermometer is expected to hit 100 on Thursday.

Officials from Colorado, Utah and states where the firefighters came from are mourning their deaths.

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.”

“Our hearts go out to the people of Colorado, Utah and the communities that have been impacted by this horrific tragedy, as well as the families of the firefighters who have paid the ultimate price in service to others,” said Paul Gieleghem, supervisor of Clinton Township. “We stand ready to help the Barker family in any way we can and honor the memory of Emily. The township is already exploring ways to honor Emily Barker’s memory.”

In Colorado, a spokesperson for Vail Resorts said they’re heartbroken.

“The Vail Mountain team is heartbroken to learn of the loss of Emily Barker, a cherished member of our family since 2010 whose leadership, warmth, and dedication touched everyone who worked alongside her,” said Lee Nielsen, who speaks for the resort. “She will be deeply missed. The entire Vail Resorts family extends our deepest sympathy and support to her family and friends.”

A profile from an elementary school in Michigan said Barker, who had strong ties to Colorado, 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.

Barker had 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, according to her profile from the elementary school.

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

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.

In Arizona, Gov. Katie Hobbs called Hutcherson a hero.

“My heart breaks for the family and crewmates of Nick Hutcherson, an Arizonan who died responding to the Knowles fire in Colorado,” Hobbs said on X. “He’s a hero who embodied the courage and selflessness of our wildland fire service. We owe him a debt of gratitude we can never repay. Arizona stands with his loved ones and others who died and were injured fighting the fire.”

Glendale Fire Department Chief Ryan Freeburg said the three wildland firefighters made the “ultimate sacrifice.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, crewmates, and all those affected by this unimaginable loss. Their courage, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Freeburg said.