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Helicopter Crash Amid Yosemite’s Dome Fire Response
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Helicopter Crash During Dome Fire Response
On a Sunday afternoon, a firefighting helicopter operating over the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park crashed, killing the two crew members aboard. Federal officials said the Eurocopter aircraft was conducting water-bucket drops when it went down near Ostrander Lake, southeast of Wawona. The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Background & Context
The Dome Fire ignited September 15 near Wawona Dome and quickly spread across steep, roadless terrain. Fire officials have classified it as a full-suppression fire, deploying ground crews and aerial assets. The fire has burned more than 3,000 acres and was about 15 % contained as of the latest updates. Roughly 500-580 personnel, including twelve helicopters, have been assigned to the effort.
Data & Statistics
- Acreage burned: >3,000 acres
- Containment: 15 %
- Personnel assigned: 500-580
- Helicopters in use: 9-13, including the crashed unit
- Casualties: 2 crew members killed
Official Statements & Responses
- FAA: Confirmed the crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m. PT during water-bucket operations; investigation ongoing.
- NTSB: Will lead the investigation and release a preliminary report within 30 days.
- U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Adrienne Freeman: Stated the crew was contracted to the Forest Service’s Price Valley Rappel Crew in Idaho and was conducting suppression operations when the helicopter went down.
- Fly Precision (contractor): Issued a social-media statement expressing devastation and requesting privacy for the families.
On-the-Ground Reports
Fire crews recovered the pilots’ remains and began transporting them through Mariposa for identification. The crash site, a federally designated wilderness area near Ostrandar Lake, is remote and at roughly 8,500 feet elevation. Weather at the time included moderate cloud cover with bases between 12,000 and 25,000 feet and light southwest winds of 3-4 mph, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Carlos Molina.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team,” — Fly Precision
- “It is a full suppression fire. So we are going to react with all of our firefighters and personnel and equipment and aircraft and throwing everything at it that we can right now,” — Devin Young
What’s Next
The FAA and NTSB will dispatch investigators to the crash site when fire conditions allow. A preliminary NTSB report is expected within 30 days, after which additional safety recommendations may be issued for aerial firefighting operations in rugged terrain.