MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — A helicopter assisting firefighting efforts on the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park crashed in Mariposa County on Sunday afternoon, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA confirmed the Eurocopter AS332 helicopter crashed shortly before 3 p.m.
Officials said at least two people were on board the aircraft.
In an Instagram post, firefighting contractor FlyPrecision, which had at least one aircraft assigned to the Dome Fire, announced the loss of two members of its team.
“It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team,” read the post. “We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words.”
The Dome Fire started Tuesday morning near Wawona Dome inside Yosemite National Park.
Fire officials told Action News that nearly 500 personnel have responded to the incident.
Several helicopters have been assigned to the fire to transport firefighters into the remote area and conduct water-dropping operations.
“It is a full suppression fire. So we are going to react with all of our firefighters and personnel and equipment and aircraft and throwing everything at it that we can right now,” said Devin Young, a public information officer with CIMT Team 3.
Yosemite National Park remains open, though several trails have been temporarily closed because of the fire.
CAL FIRE said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the helicopter crash.
On Monday afternoon a procession was held to honor the two pilots killed in the crash
The pilots’ remains were recovered and were driven through the town of Mariposa before being transported to Modesto and then to their final destinations.
