Two pilots were killed Sunday afternoon when a firefighting helicopter assigned to an Idaho wildland fire crew crashed while supporting suppression operations on the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park, federal and wildfire officials said Monday.
The helicopter was assigned to Price Valley Helitack, an Idaho-based aerial firefighting crew located near New Meadows in Adams County. Officials said the aircraft was a privately owned helicopter contracted through the U.S. Forest Service to support a rappel crew operating out of Payette National Forest.
Investigation underway, site access limited by fire
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed to KTVB that investigators are looking into the crash of a Eurocopter AS332L model near Yosemite Village. NTSB officials said the helicopter went down during "aerial firefighting operations." At least initially, investigators were not on site because active fire conditions prohibited travel into the area.
Social media posts from Fly Precision, an Oregon-based aerial firefighting company, reported that two crew members were killed in the crash. State and federal agencies have released limited details about the victims: the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection identified one of the occupants as Greg King, saying he had "served extensively" with the division on wildland fires.
"This is a devastating loss for our agency and the entire wildland firefighting community," the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection wrote in a news release. "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."
As of Monday afternoon, the identity of the second victim had not been released. Officials also had not confirmed whether the pilots were residents of Idaho.
Crash occurred amid active Dome Fire response
The crash happened while crews were continuing suppression work on the Dome Fire, which began Sept. 15 in steep, rugged terrain near Wawona Dome and Chilnualna Falls inside Yosemite National Park. In the park’s most recent public update, the blaze had grown to nearly 2,000 acres with more than 380 personnel assigned to the incident; helicopters were listed among the resources supporting operations in remote areas.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fire name | Dome Fire |
| Start date | Sept. 15 |
| Size | Nearly 2,000 acres |
| Personnel assigned | More than 380 |
Local link: Idaho helitack and contract operations
Price Valley Helitack is based near New Meadows in Adams County and provides helicopter-based wildfire support, including rappel operations. Officials said the aircraft involved was privately owned and operating under contract to the U.S. Forest Service to support a rappel crew dispatched from Payette National Forest. Contracted aircraft and crews are a common component of multiagency wildfire responses, particularly in remote or rugged terrain where ground access is limited.
Authorities at the scene and investigators have not released additional details about the circumstances of the crash, the mission the helicopter was performing at the time, or whether environmental or mechanical factors played a role. The NTSB typically coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies when investigating accidents that occur during firefighting operations.
Community and agency responses
Statements from agencies and firefighting organizations expressed grief for the loss of life and acknowledged the risks taken by aviation crews supporting wildfire suppression. The Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection called the loss "devastating" and noted King’s long service; other agencies have said they will provide updates as investigations progress.
- Two pilots were killed in the crash.
- The helicopter was assigned to Price Valley Helitack near New Meadows, Idaho.
- The NTSB is investigating; investigators have not yet reached the scene due to fire conditions.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor official releases from the NTSB, U.S. Forest Service, Yosemite National Park and Price Valley Helitack and will provide updates when new information is available.
