A Tuesday afternoon crash claimed the life of a Cal Fire airtanker pilot working on a wildland fire near Yosemite National Park.
As of Wednesday morning, the pilot's name had not been released. The pilot’s family requested the name be withheld until all immediate family could be notified.
“This crash underscores just how inherently dangerous wildland firefighting is and the job is further compounded this year by extreme fire conditions,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. “We have secured the crash site and will be cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board on their investigation.”
Cal Fire officials said contact was lost with the airtanker as it was flying over the Dog Rock Fire, which broke out Tuesday afternoon and has burned about 130 acres near Yosemite.
Emergency personnel responded to the last known location of the aircraft, and were able to access the crash scene Thursday night after working through difficult terrain. After arriving at the scene they found the pilot had died.
The S-2T tanker – known as Tanker 81 – was based out of the Hollister Air Attack Base.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot’s family during this difficult time,” said Jeff Cavarra, program director for DynCorp International.
CAL FIRE operates 22 other Grumman S-2T airtankers across California.
STATE: Crash of Cal Fire airtanker claims the life of pilot
- Lake County News reports
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