Nicholas Dale, a 56-year-old pilot from Sooke on Vancouver Island, died when his helicopter crashed into a reservoir while battling the Gold Mountain fire in Colorado on Sunday.

Dale was helping to fight the wildfire southwest of Aspen when the crash occurred. Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd posted a tribute on X, saying: "Today, we mourn the loss of Nicholas Dale, who gave his life while supporting response efforts on the Gold Mountain Fire. My prayers are with his family and loved ones, his fellow aviators, and everyone in the wildland firefighting community grieving this tragic loss."

Hurd added that Dale "answered the call to serve others, knowing the risks that come with that service. We are grateful for his sacrifice, and we honor his memory."

B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar expressed his condolences at a wildfire update on Tuesday morning. "I know the community of Sooke very well, having represented it, and I know that they will wrap their loved ones and this family, Nicholas's family, during this very challenging time," Parmar said.

The Gold Mountain fire was discovered on June 27 and has burned an estimated 36,965 acres, with 12 per cent contained as of the latest update.

Sources: Global News