Dome Fire has burned more than 3,000 acres, 15% contained by Monday
Two people died Sunday afternoon when a helicopter conducting water-bucket drops on a wildfire in Yosemite National Park crashed near Mariposa, northwest of Fresno, Calif., the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The aircraft was a Eurocopter AS32 carrying one crew member and one passenger, according to the FAA. The agency said the helicopter “crashed under unknown circumstances while on water-bucket drops.”
Firefighting contractor FlyPrecision said both victims were members of its team. In a social media post, the company wrote: “It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team. We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words. Please keep their families, loved ones and our entire team in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
The crash occurred over the Dome Fire, a blaze that began Tuesday in a remote area of the park and had grown to more than 3,000 acres by Monday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. The agency reported the fire was 15% contained as of Monday. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles and spans parts of four California counties. The Dome Fire was contained to Mariposa County. The park is also a World Heritage Site.