VIDEO: A pilot was killed after the helicopter he was flying crashed near a wildfire burning in the Payson area, fire officials said Tuesday.
The helicopter was conducting firefighting operations for the Polles Fire when it crashed, according to officials. Officials confirm that the pilot, 37-year-old Brian Boatman, was the only person inside the helicopter at the time of the crash. Local fire officials said Tuesday afternoon that the pilot had been killed in the crash.
The Polles Fire has burned 580 acres west of Payson as of Tuesday and is zero percent contained. The fire currently does not threaten any communities in Payson or Pine-Strawberry, according to officials.
Governor Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Wednesday, July 8 in honor of Boatman.