A helicopter participating in wildfire suppression efforts within California’s Yosemite National Park crashed on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of both pilots aboard, fire officials confirmed.
The incident occurred during a water bucket drop operation southeast of Lake Ostrander, according to Benjamin Cossel, spokesperson for the California Complex Incident Management Team 3, which is managing the Dome Fire response. The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Eurocopter AS350 carrying two individuals.
Cossel told ABC News that the remains of the pilots were recovered on Monday afternoon. Their identities have not yet been released. The private aircraft was operated by contractor FlyPrecision.
“This is extremely challenging on everybody here,” Cossel said. “The wildland firefighting world is an extremely small community. We all know each other… So this is devastating to the wildland firefighting community, and we’re all doing our best to get through it right now.”
In a social media statement on Sunday, FlyPrecision expressed deep sorrow over the loss of two team members, describing the event as heartbreaking and leaving the company struggling to find words.
Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the crash, though the cause remains undetermined at this time.
The Dome Fire, which ignited on September 15 in the wilderness northeast of Wawona, has consumed more than 3,200 acres and reached 15% containment as of Monday midday. Approximately 600 ground and air resources are deployed to combat the blaze. Officials described the terrain as extremely rugged and steep, complicating firefighter access.
The National Park Service reported Monday that the fire continues to spread at a moderate rate, with spotting behavior posing a significant challenge to full suppression efforts. The cause of the Dome Fire itself remains under investigation. Yosemite National Park remains open, although certain trails have been closed due to the wildfire.
15% containment after burning 3,200 acres… these wildfires seem impossible to control. How much longer until this Dome Fire is actually out?
The wildland firefighting community is truly small. This hits everyone hard. Prayers for the pilots and the crews still battling that stubborn Dome Fire.
Is it standard procedure to fly two people in such hazardous low-altitude operations? Seems like a preventable tragedy if proper safety protocols weren’t followed.
Devastating news. Those pilots are heroes putting their lives on the line for us all. My deepest condolences to their families and colleagues.