Gov. Jared Polis ordered that Colorado flags be flown at half staff Friday in honor of Nathan Matthews, a firefighter who died last week from injuries he sustained while responding to fires on the Western Slope.
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Flags will be flown at half staff from sunrise to sunset, Polis’ office said in a statement, in honor of “the life, bravery, and sacrifice of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Firefighter who died from injuries that occurred while responding to the Knowles Fire in Mesa County.” Matthews’ funeral procession began Friday morning in Denver and ended in Grand Junction.
Flags in Nebraska, Matthews’ home state, were also lowered to half staff.
Matthews, 43, was injured on June 27 while fighting the Knowles Fire near the Utah border. Three other firefighters — Emily Barker, Sydney Watson and Nick Hutcherson — died during the incident. A fifth member of the crew was also injured. The firefighters, part of a helicopter-deployed team, were overtaken by flames. Federal officials said this week that a helicopter had attempted to rescue the crew but was unable to because of the conditions. The crew then attempted to deploy emergency shelters to protect themselves.
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“My thoughts are with Nathan’s family during this difficult time. Our firefighters and first responders put their lives on the line everyday to protect our communities, and keep people safe. Nathan’s heroism will not be forgotten and we are forever in awe of Nathan’s unwavering bravery and sacrifice,” Polis said in a statement.
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