Two Pilots Die in Helicopter Crash While Fighting Yosemite Wildfire
The aircraft was dropping water on the Dome Fire when it crashed southeast of Lake Ostrander.
Two pilots were killed Sunday afternoon when their helicopter crashed while battling the Dome Fire in California's Yosemite National Park, according to fire officials.
The Eurocopter AS32 helicopter was actively dropping water on the wildfire when it went down southeast of Lake Ostrander, officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that two people were on board the aircraft when it crashed during firefighting operations. The remains of the pilots have been recovered, and their names have not yet been released.
The helicopter was privately owned by contractor FlyPrecision, according to a spokesperson for the California Complex Incident Management Team 3.
"It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team," FlyPrecision said in a social media statement Sunday. "We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words."
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash, which remains unknown.
The Dome Fire, which ignited on September 15, has burned more than 3,200 acres and was 15% contained as of Monday. Nearly 600 personnel are assigned to the fire, which is burning in the wilderness northeast of Wawona. Fire officials noted that moderate fire behavior is expected to continue, with spotting being a significant challenge for suppression efforts.
Yosemite National Park remains open to the public, though some trails are closed due to fire activity.