A pilot was killed Sunday after a firefighting aircraft crashed into a reservoir in southwestern Colorado, authorities said.
The crash happened at 5:17 p.m. in Silver Jack Reservoir, located in Gunnison County, according to CBS News. At the time, the aircraft was engaged in operations against the Gold Mountain Fire, and the pilot is thought to have been the sole occupant, according to The Associated Press.
Divers pulled a body from the downed aircraft, Sheriff Adam Murdie of Gunnison County announced, and it was subsequently delivered to the county coroner, according to CBS News. Officials declined to release the victim's name until family members could be informed.
As of early Monday, the Gold Mountain Fire — ignited late last month — had scorched more than 35,601 acres and crews had achieved 13% containment, according to The Associated Press. East and northeast of Ouray, mandatory evacuations were still in effect, though residents inside the city itself had not been ordered to leave, according to CBS News.
Investigators had yet to establish what caused the crash, and a message seeking information was sent to the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the AP. The Gunnison County Sheriff's Office had not released details about what type of aircraft was involved.
What sparked the Gold Mountain Fire had yet to be established, according to CBS News.