Two firefighters were killed Sunday when a helicopter assigned to battle Yosemite National Park's growing Dome Fire crashed in Mariposa County, adding a tragic new chapter to one of California's most closely watched wildfires.
The helicopter went down at about 2:55 p.m. while conducting firefighting operations on the Dome Fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency said the aircraft, a Eurocopter AS32, crashed near Mariposa with two people aboard.
Precision Aerospace, the company operating the helicopter, confirmed both pilots were killed.
"It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team," the company said in a statement. "We are devastated by this loss and are struggling
to find the words."
The identities of the victims had not been released as of Monday morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, with the NTSB leading the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Dome Fire continued to grow. Fire officials reported the wildfire had expanded to more than 3,000 acres by Monday afternoon and reached 15% containment as crews fought flames in steep wilderness terrain near Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite's Wawona area.
Dome Fire evacuations
As of Monday morning, no evacuation orders or warnings had been issued because of the Dome Fire.
Yosemite National Park officials have repeatedly said the wildfire poses no immediate threat to developed areas or park infrastructure. However, fire behavior can change rapidly, and visitors should continue monitoring official updates.
The fire remains several miles from Wawona, the historic Yosemite community that includes lodging, cabins and the Yosemite History Center.
Where is the Dome Fire in California? See map
The Dome Fire ignited Sept. 15 north of Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite National Park's Wawona area of Mariposa County.
The wildfire is burning north of Wawona Dome in rugged wilderness terrain that has challenged firefighting efforts because of limited access and steep slopes. The fire is located near Chilnualna Falls, one of Yosemite's popular hiking destinations.
Dome Fire road closures and trail closures
No roadway closures had been announced as of Monday morning, and Yosemite National Park remains open.
Several trail closures remain in effect because of the wildfire, including:
- Chilnualna Falls Trail
- Trails above Chilnualna Falls connecting to Buena Vista Lake
- Trails above Chilnualna Falls connecting to Crescent Lake
Park officials have said Buena Vista and Crescent lakes remain accessible from the east. The closure area also extends east of Wawona Road between Wawona and Chinquapin.
Wawona Road remains open, along with major routes into Yosemite Valley.
Dome Fire weather and fire conditions
The Dome Fire grew from nearly 2,000 acres Friday to more than 3,000 acres by Sunday, underscoring the challenges firefighters continue to face in Yosemite's remote backcountry.
Crews are working in rugged terrain with limited road access, using hand lines, natural granite features and aircraft to slow the fire's spread. California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 remains assigned to the incident.
Aircraft have been a key part of the suppression effort, making Sunday's fatal helicopter crash especially devastating for firefighting personnel working the incident.
Smoke from the wildfire may continue affecting portions of Yosemite National Park and nearby communities, with air quality conditions varying depending on wind patterns and fire activity.
What does 15% containment mean?
Containment refers to how much of a wildfire's perimeter firefighters have surrounded with control lines designed to stop the fire's spread.
A fire that is 15% contained means crews have established and secured containment lines around approximately 15% of the wildfire's perimeter. The remaining 85% is still not fully contained and can continue to spread.
Containment does not mean a wildfire is extinguished. Fire managers regularly update containment figures as crews build, inspect and strengthen fire lines around the incident.
Officials continue investigating both the cause of the Dome Fire and Sunday's helicopter crash. Updates are expected from Yosemite National Park, Cal Fire, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dome Fire helicopter crash kills 2 pilots in Mariposa County
