MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. — A helicopter assisting in the firefighting response to the ‘Dome Fire’ in Yosemite crashed Sunday afternoon, killing the two people on board, according to federal officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the crash was connected to the ‘Dome Fire.’ Officials said the helicopter crashed in Mariposa, California at about 2:55 p.m. Saturday with two people on board.
The helicopter company that had an aircraft assigned to fight the fire also confirmed the crash and said the two people aboard were killed.
In an Instagram post, firefighting contractor FlyPrecision, which had at least one aircraft assigned to the Dome Fire, announced the loss of two members of its team.
“It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team,” read the post. “We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words.”
As of the latest update, the ‘Dome Fire’ had burned more than 3,000 acres and was 15% contained.
Additional details about the crash were not immediately available.
The FAA says they will investigate with the National Transportation Safety Board, which will lead the investigation.
Fire officials said that nearly 500 personnel have responded to the incident.
Several helicopters have been assigned to the fire to transport firefighters into the remote area and conduct water-dropping operations.
“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,” said Devin Young, a public information officer with CIMT Team 3.
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