Two flight crew members were killed on Sunday when their firefighting helicopter crashed at the Dome Fire burning in Yosemite National Park, according to the company that owned the helicopter.
Aerospace company Precision confirmed the two crew members’ deaths to WildfireToday. A company spokesperson said representatives are working to notify family members of those who were killed and that the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are leading an investigation into the incident. They did not share details on the events leading up to the crash.
“It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team,” Precision said in a statement. “We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words. We ask for privacy and compassion for their families and our team as we grieve this tremendous loss.”
Here is an update from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Dome Fire burned 2,667 acres as of Sunday morning, according to crews working the fire. The fire continues to grow into the 2017 Empire Fire footprint, which burned 8,094 acres northeast of Wawona, California. The presence of abundant fuels in the area is driving fire spread.
“Heavy fuel conditions continue to pose challenges for ground-based suppression resources as they continue to utilize natural barriers such as granite outcroppings and bare areas in the northwest flank,” according to the latest incident update. “Fire is moving through red fir fuel type, which is conducive to spotting and susceptible to burning.”
Fire managers expected an incoming weak weather system to spread clouds and lower temperatures throughout the fire area on Sunday.
9 Comments
This fire may have more helicopters on it than other fire in the history of Yosemite. For a late season fire burning away from developments into a large recent large burn scar. This must be what “full suppression” looks like.
It’s been a horrible year for helicopters, two in Colorado and now this one in California.
2 in CA, last week a Los Angeles channel 4 news chopper went down covering a drunk driver smashing into a metro bus killing people. Of course the drunk driver survived.
Rest in peace heroes.
I wonder if the persons killed were prisoners? – they generally make up the fire crews in Yosemite.
This is a BS comment from someone (or a bot) with zero background knowledge of the subject.
I am pretty sure prisoners don’t fly or crew helicopters for private contractors. Actually, I only said “pretty sure” to be kind. The odds are zero.
No special trained USFS and NPS paid fire crews from around the western us Ok…… only Cal Fire uses inmates and not in direct attack And Inmates sure as heck dont fly helicopters.
We’re so sorry and sad for them and their families and friends and Responders. Thank you SIRS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LOVE OF DOING FOR THE LAND.