CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Federal wildland fire officials said three firefighters died while responding to the Knowles Fire in western Colorado on Saturday, including a Clinton Township woman.

Thirty-eight-year-old Emily Barker was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack.

MORE NEWS: Previously Deported Illegal Alien Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Alpine Township Murder

On Monday, Barker’s family spoke to The New York Times while traveling from Michigan to Colorado for Barker’s memorial service.

“She was the strongest, bravest person,” said Lisa Karczewski, Barker’s sister. “We were terrified when she first began, but as time went on, it became natural,” Karczewski said. “It was, ‘I’m going into a fire.’ ‘OK, be safe.’ We knew this was always a risk.”

The other firefighters who died were identified as 27-year-old Nick Hutcherson of Glendale, Arizona, and 27-year-old Sydney Watson of Warrior, Alabama.

Two additional firefighters were injured during the incident and are receiving medical care.

“We mourn the loss of three firefighters who answered the call to protect others and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens,” said U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy. “Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, friends and crewmates as they face an unimaginable loss. These firefighters embodied the courage, professionalism and selflessness that define the wildland fire service.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior reported that the Snyder Fire merged with the Jones Fire and overtook the Knowles and Gore fires. The combined fire has burned an estimated 28,000 acres along the Colorado-Utah border.

MORE NEWS: Michigan Colleges Earn a ‘D’ for Free Speech as Students Admit to Self-Censoring

A serious accident investigation team has been mobilized and is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the deaths.