Helicopter fighting Yosemite National Park fire crashes, killing 2: Officials
The helicopter was dropping water on the Dome Fire when it crashed.
A helicopter involved in efforts to battle a wildfire in California's Yosemite National Park crashed, killing the two pilots on board, according to fire officials.
The crash occurred Sunday afternoon during firefighting operations, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Two people were on board the Eurocopter AS32 helicopter, the agency said.
The Dome Fire is seen in a photo released by Yosemite National Park on Sept. 15, 2026.Yosemite National ParkThe helicopter was performing a water bucket operation and actively dropping water on the fire when it crashed southeast of Lake Ostrander in Yosemite, according to Benjamin Cossel, spokesperson for California Complex Incident Management Team 3, which is overseeing the Dome Fire response.
The remains of the pilots have been successfully recovered, Cossel told ABC News on Monday. Their names have not yet been publicly released.
The private helicopter was owned by contractor FlyPrecision, according to Cossel.
"It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team," FlyPrecision said in a statement on social media on Sunday. "We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words."
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash. The cause remains unknown at this time, Cossel said.
Smoke from the Dome Fire is seen in a photo released by Yosemite National Park on Sept. 18, 2026.Yosemite National ParkNearly 600 ground and air personnel have been assigned to the Dome Fire, which is burning in the wilderness northeast of Wawona, park officials said.
The fire has burned more than 3,200 acres since igniting on Sept. 15 and was 15% contained as of midday Monday, fire officials said.
"The Dome Fire continued to spread at a moderate rate of growth," the National Park Service said Monday. "Fire behavior will remain moderate, with spotting behavior being a big challenge in the full suppression efforts of this fire."
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Yosemite National Park remains open, though some trails are closed due to the fire.
