Full Breakdown
F/A-18 Hornet Crash Near Rimrock Lake Sparks Wildfire in Washington State
6/14/2026, 9:00:10 AM
Incident Overview
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, a military fighter jet crashed into a mountain near Rimrock Lake in Yakima County, Washington, at approximately noon. The aircraft, identified by the U.S. Marine Corps as an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was conducting routine training when it experienced a non-fatal aviation mishap. The pilot ejected safely, sustained minor injuries, and was transported to a hospital, according to the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office.
Training Mission and Aircraft Context
The jet took off from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California, where the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is based. Marine Aircraft Group 11 described the flight as a routine training sortie, noting the mishap occurred during standard operations.
Emergency Response and On-the-Ground Observations
Local and federal responders moved quickly. The Naches Fire Department completed structure protection for the Bear Creek cabins, cleared the crash site, and kept a water tender on scene for mop-up. Helicopters and a fire engine from the U.S. Forest Service’s Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest crew were deployed to suppress the brush fire. Witnesses reported smoke rising, prompting the temporary evacuation of nearby campers. A Yakima County sheriff’s deputy made contact with the pilot after ejection, confirming his minor injuries.
Data & Statistics
Crash site: near Rimrock Lake in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Reported distance from Seattle varies: Marine Corps statement cites ~55 miles southeast; NBC reports ~125 miles southeast. Fire size not disclosed. Responding agencies: Marine Aircraft Group 11, Naches Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The two sources differ on the crash’s distance from Seattle (55 miles vs. 125 miles). No data on fire size or cause have been released, and details about the pilot’s longer-term condition and aircraft serial number remain unavailable.
Why It Matters / Impact
The incident demonstrates how training flights can ignite wildfires in forested regions, prompting coordinated multi-agency response and temporary evacuation of recreation users.
Verbatim Quotes
- “experienced a non-fatal aviation mishap while conducting routine training approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington,” — U.S. Marine Corps, statement to KIRO-TV
- “Our units have completed structure protection near the Bear Creek cabins and have just cleared the scene,” — Naches Fire Department
- “To preserve the integrity of the investigation, no additional details are available at this time,” — Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
- “The pilot sustained minor injuries after ejecting from the plane and was transported to the hospital, the Yakima County Sheriff's Office said.” — Yakima County Sheriff’s Office
What’s Next
Fire crews plan to return Sunday with the water tender to support mop-up operations. The Marine Corps investigation will continue, with findings expected to be released after the investigative phase concludes.
