Two helicopter pilots died in a helicopter crash in Yosemite National Park on Sunday while conducting water drops over a wildfire, officials have confirmed.
The pair were the only occupants on board and were employed by aviation contractor Precision. One of the pilots has been identified as Greg King, who previously worked for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection tackling wildland blazes before joining Precision, according to agency spokesperson Emery Johnson.
King’s close relatives work for the agency and gave permission to release his name, Johnson said. The identity of the second pilot has not yet been disclosed.
The Super Puma helicopter they were on had been using a water bucket to support fire suppression efforts when it crashed near a lake, said Benjamin Cossel, a spokesperson for the Federal Complex Incident Management Team.
The crash occurred southeast of Ostrander Lake, roughly 7 miles (11 kilometres) northeast of Wawona and 9 miles (14 kilometres) south of Yosemite’s El Capitan. An investigation into the circumstances will be conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
Describing the deaths as a devastating loss for the wildland firefighting community, the Alaska agency said in a statement: "Greg was a dedicated aviator and a dear friend to many of us. We are mourning both pilots who bravely supported firefighting efforts, and our hearts go out to their families,"
Writing on social media, Precision said the firm was "struggling to find the words."
"We ask for privacy and compassion for their families and our team as we grieve this tremendous loss," the statement added.
Around 580 personnel are tackling the Dome Fire, which ignited on 15 September near Wawona, California. It covers roughly 4.7 square miles (12.3 square kilometres) and is 15 per cent contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
At least 14 people assisting with US wildfire operations have died this year, marking the highest toll since 2022 when 25 fatalities occurred. In August, two helicopter pilots died during a Utah wildfire, while another crashed into a reservoir in Colorado.
Other recent fatalities include an Oklahoma firefighter who suffered a medical emergency this month, and another in Oregon struck by a falling tree. In August, an Oklahoma officer was killed while evacuating a burning building, a Minnesota firefighter died following a medical emergency, and an Oregon bulldozer operator was overrun by flames. In June, four firefighters were trapped by a blaze in western Colorado.
