{"id":360625,"date":"2026-06-14T19:20:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T19:20:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/360625\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T19:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T19:20:15","slug":"california-fighter-crashes-near-mt-rainier-sparking-wildfire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/360625\/","title":{"rendered":"California fighter crashes near Mt Rainier sparking wildfire"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the terrifying moment a San Diego-based military aircraft<\/a> crashed into a mountainside near Mt Rainier<\/a> \u2014 sparking a wildfire.<\/p>\n

The F\/A-18 Hornet, which costs up to $57 million, was heard making a loud \u201cpopping sound\u201d before it smashed into Rimrock Lake in Washington state on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The incident, which occurred within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest<\/a>, prompted road closures, campground evacuations and a huge fire response.<\/p>\n

The incident, which occurred within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, prompted road closures. Naches Fire Department<\/p>\n

According to officials at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, the pilot safely ejected<\/a> before the crash, and no injuries were reported.<\/p>\n

Tina Liniger, who witnessed the crash, told CBS 8<\/a>: \u201cA couple of jets had already buzzed over the lake. We heard another one coming, but it made popping sounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe thought it was just air noise from the jet. When we walked down to the lakefront, we could see the smoke.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eyewitnesses noticed one of the jets began emitting smoke while still in flight. Naches Fire Department<\/p>\n

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According to officials in California, the pilot safely ejected before the crash, and no injuries were reported. cbs8<\/p>\n

The jet, an F\/A-18 Hornet, was heard making a loud \u201cpopping sound\u201d before it crashed near Rimrock Lake.
Tiktok\/@marissssuuhh<\/p>\n

As of Saturday evening, the fire had grown to 1.5 acres. Naches Fire Department<\/p>\n

The blaze is burning near Forest Road 1241 and is being battled by crews from Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. cbs8<\/p>\n

Marissa Fernandez was watching the aircraft with her family when she noticed one of the jets began emitting smoke while still in flight.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of a sudden the jet started smoking, went down and hit the trees! We did see the pilot eject and were hoping he landed safely,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

As of Saturday evening, the fire had grown to 1.5 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. No containment estimate has been released.<\/p>\n

The blaze is burning near Forest Road 1241 and is being battled by helicopters and crews from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Officials have closed roads south of Rimrock Lake off Forest Road 1200 for public safety.<\/p>\n

A fire department spokesperson said crews will remain at the scene through the afternoon and are expected to return Sunday morning to assist with mop-up efforts.<\/p>\n

The Yakima County Sheriff\u2019s Office said military authorities have been notified and are deploying personnel and resources to the area. Officials said additional details will be released as they become available.<\/p>\n

Rimrock Lake, a 2,546-acre reservoir, is located along Highway 12 about 10 miles east of White Pass in Washington. <\/p>\n

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