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Two killed when firefighting helicopter crashes near Greek island

Mi-8 helicopter
Example of an Mi-8 helicopter of the Croation Air Force at Lucko Airbase, September, 2007. Photo by Suradnik13.

A firefighting helicopter has crashed in Greece while working on a wildfire  on the island of Samos. The Greek coastguard said the aircraft was carrying four people when it went down in the Aegean Sea on Wednesday afternoon.

Two crew members were found unconscious and were later confirmed to have died. The two others were rescued alive by authorities.

The aircraft involved is believed to be a Soviet-era Mi-8 helicopter, leased for firefighting operations from Ukraine.

Red areas represent heat from fires on Greek island of Samos, July 13, 2022.

A total of three helicopters and five fixed wing aircraft had been mobilized to help firefighters on Samos, according to the Greek Fire Service.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of the deceased.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Paula.

28 years ago eight firefighters survived the South Canyon Fire in their shelters

South Canyon memorial
South Canyon Fire memorial in Two Rivers Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Today marks the 28th anniversary of the entrapment and death of 14 firefighters on the South Canyon Fire who were overrun by the fire on Storm King Mountain near Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Those firefighters were Kathi Beck, Tamera Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Robert Browning, Doug Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso, Don Mackey, Roger Roth, Jim Thrash, and Richard Tyler.

Barry Stevenson of Outside Adventure Media produced the short video below that looks at an often overlooked part of the event — the eight smokejumpers further uphill who took refuge in their fire shelters for two hours as the fire burned around them.

If you have not seen it already, be sure and watch the excellent lessons learned video about the South Canyon Fire titled Everyone Goes Home. It includes numerous interviews of wildland firefighters who were involved with, or were on scene during the entrapment and deaths of the 14 firefighters.

For more information about the South Canyon Fire visit southcanyonfire.com.

Pilot killed in Alaska helicopter crash

From the Alaska Division of Forestry, June 27, 2022:

It is with sad and heavy hearts that we share the news that a pilot supporting the Clear Fire outside Anderson, AK, died in a helicopter crash. The pilot and sole occupant was Douglas Ritchie, 56, of Wasilla, AK. Wildland firefighters and aviators are a close community and are in support of the family, friends, and co-workers during this tragic time.

The crash occurred Sunday evening, June 26, 2022, while landing at the Anderson Airport’s helipad near milepost 280 of the Parks Highway. The Division of Forestry & Fire Protection (DOF) had contracted the 1960 Bell 204B “Huey” helicopter operated by Northern Pioneer Helicopters. The division is assisting the Alaska State Troopers and National Transportation Safety Board who are conducting an investigation.

We send our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Mr. Ritchie.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Tom.

Nebraska Fire Chief killed at a wildland fire

Darren Krull
Darren Krull, Chief of the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department. Nebraska State Patrol photo.

A fire chief was killed in a traffic collision in south-central Nebraska Thursday April 7 at a large wildland fire.

A Ford Expedition, driven by Phelps County Emergency Manager Justin Norris, with passenger Darren Krull, Chief of the Elwood Volunteer Fire Department, was struck head on by a water truck approximately eight miles north of Arapahoe on Highway 283.

The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) said Chief Krull, 54, of Elwood, was killed at the scene. Norris, 40, of Holdrege, was transported to the hospital in Cambridge with life-threatening injuries. He was transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney in stable condition. He was later moved to a hospital in Omaha. Friday morning he was in stable condition.

According to NSP, the driver of the water truck, Andries Van Aswegan, 28, of Arapahoe, was not injured in the crash.

The fire and smoke in the area had created zero-visibility conditions on the roadway at the time of the crash.

wildfire in Nebraska
The wildfire in Nebraska burned about 30,000 acres. Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

The fire, 30 miles long and 5.5 miles wide, burned at least 30,000 acres, 8 homes, and 48 other structures. It started when strong winds blew a tree into a power line.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of Chief Krull.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Art, Gerald, Matt, and Tom.

Firefighter fatality on a wildfire north of Lawton, OK

Map King Road Fire
Map showing the location of the King Road Fire.

On Sunday March 20 a firefighter was fatality injured on a fire about 15 miles north of Lawton, Oklahoma. Amy Hawkins, a Public Information Specialist for Comanche County said it occurred at the NE Kings Road and Lake Ellsworth Fire. NE Kings Road is on the west side of Lake Ellsworth approximately 60 air miles southwest of Oklahoma City. Crews were still working at the fire when the information was released around noon on Sunday.

At about 4 p.m. Sunday the fire had burned 190 acres and was being pushed by 20 to 25 mph winds gusting out of the south at 30 mph with humidity of 15 percent. A Red Flag Warning was in effect until 9 p.m..

On Thursday firefighters were battling the 62 Fire that burned a swath about 10 miles long, north of Hwy. 62 and east of Hwy. 183 approximately 23 miles west of Lawton near Indiahoma.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Matt.

Helicopter crash kills pilot in Australia

map fire helicopter crash Tasmania
Map showing location of bush fire near Pipers Brook in northeast Tasmania Feb. 14, 2022.

This article was first published at Fire Aviation.

A pilot was killed in Australia February 14 when a helicopter crashed while working on a bush fire southeast of Pipers Brook, Tasmania. The accident was reported to the police and emergency services at about 3:20 p.m. The pilot was the only person on board.

From the Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

Tasmania Fire Service Acting Deputy Chief Jeff Harper said the northern Tasmanian man was an experienced pilot who had been assisting water-bombing activities as a subcontractor.

Mr. Harper said it was a tragic incident, and that the man had worked on multiple Tasmanian fires in the past.

Firefighting aircraft were grounded after the helicopter crash, and will all be assessed overnight before being deployed again.

The Tasmania Police said the pilot’s next of kin has been notified.

Since it started several days ago the fire has burned 1,660Ha (4,100 acres). Helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, heavy machinery, and firefighters on the ground have been working to control the blaze. A number of forestry plantations have been impacted and one structure has been destroyed.

The ABC reported that the bushfire had resulted from a registered burn that got away from the “very remorseful” owner, and it had been deemed accidental.

The Tasmania Police is asking that anyone with information who may have seen the helicopter near Pipers Brook just before the crash should call Launceston Police on 131444 or report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800333000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

On January 23, 2020 the three crewmembers of an EC-130Q, Air Tanker 134, were killed when the aircraft crashed while working on a fire in New South Wales.

Fire Aviation sends out our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of the deceased pilot.

The make and model of the helicopter has not been released.

fire helicopter crash Tasmania