A helicopter helping to fight a wildfire near Payson crashed under unknown circumstances Tuesday, killing the pilot, authorities said.
A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said the pilot, Bryan Boatman of Glendale, was the only person aboard the Bell UH-1H helicopter that went down Tuesday afternoon about 10 miles west of Payson in the Tonto National Forest.
Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered that flags on state buildings be flown at half-staff Wednesday for the pilot.
The FAA and National Transportation Board will investigate the crash and the NTSB will try to determine a probable cause.
Boatman was working to supply firefighters on the ground and was employed by Glendale-based Airwest Helicopters, Shepherd said.
He is survived by his wife an an 8-year-old child, Ducey said Tuesday night.
“This tragic loss is a reminder of the ever-present dangers faced by those battling wildfires,” Ducey said. “Boatman was carrying out a service to the people of Arizona alongside the men and women fighting the Polles Fire. He performed his duty with honor and bravery, and it will be remembered as such by our state.”
The lightning-caused Polles Fire started Friday in the Mazatzal Wilderness on top of the Polles Mesa.
Fire officials said the area is only accessible by helicopter and crews have been sleeping in the wilderness with food, drinking water and supplies flown in daily by helicopter.
Four hotshot crews were airlifted Monday into the area to battle the fire, which is burning high desert grass and pinion juniper.
The fire had grown to almost 1 square mile by Tuesday morning with zero containment. About 350 people are working to contain the blaze.
