Copter battling Utah wildfire crashes

Richfield (US): A heavy-lift helicopter carrying two people while battling a wildfire in central Utah crashed near Richfield, officials said Friday. Their condition was immediately unknown as crews could not reach the site because of flames. 

The Sikorsky S-64 helicopter, one of seven deployed, ignited another fire after crashing. Meanwhile, bulldozer operator Jason Ensign, 47, died while fighting the Wrights Spring fire in Oregon after rapid growth cut off his escape route. The Utah blaze, caused by lightning on July 27, had spread across 165 sqmiles and was 19% contained.

Lake Mead at historic low as Colorado River struggles

Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the US, has fallen to its lowest level since it was filled 90 years ago. Water levels hit 1,040.4 ft above sea level amid record-low snowpack, drought, rising temperatures and overuse across the Colorado River Basin. 

Typhoon lashes Japan, landfall likely in China  

Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan’s Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring six people and cutting power to over 50,000 buildings. Airlines cancelled flights as winds reached 162 kmph. China shut ports and halted ferries ahead of the likely landfall between Zhe­jiang and Fujian. Officials warned of floods and landslides, with Zheji­ang forecast to get 600mm of rain.