The Interior Department on Monday released the names of three firefighters who died battling a wildfire in western Colorado that's spread to 30,000 acres. 

Emily Barker, 38, of Michigan; Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Arizona; and Sydney Watson, 27, of Alabama were killed in the incident, according to the Interior Department. All three were engaged in the initial attack operations of the Knowles Fire in western Colorado. 

The bodies of the firefighters arrived Sunday morning at Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado, the New York Times reported. 

Strong winds, low humidity and dry fuels caused rapid fire growth. The firefighters who died were overwhelmed by flames. They had tried to take shelter in the heat and smoke. Two others suffered burn injuries.