2 pilots killed while battling Dome Fire in Yosemite
The helicopter crashed during water-dropping operations as crews worked to contain the wildfire in steep, remote terrain.
Greg King and Ryan Cutter were dropping water on the Dome Fire when their helicopter crashed Sunday afternoon near Ostrander Lake.
Two pilots were killed when a helicopter crashed while supporting efforts to contain the growing Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park, officials said.
The contract helicopter went down Sunday afternoon southeast of Ostrander Lake while conducting water-dropping operations over the fire. The two pilots were the only people aboard, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Dome Fire burns in Yosemite National Park. (Image credit: NPS)
One of the victims was identified as Greg King, a pilot for Fly Precision with extensive experience supporting wildland firefighting operations in Alaska. Precision Helicopters later identified the second pilot as Ryan Cutter.
“King was a cherished member of our wildland fire family, having served on wildland fires in Alaska and extensively alongside the Division of Forestry & Fire Protection,” the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection said in a statement.
The contractor, Fly Precision, said it was devastated by the deaths of two “beloved members” of its team.
“We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words,” the company said.
First responders and community members gathered in Mariposa County on Monday to honor the two pilots with a procession.
Two helicopter pilots killed while fighting the Dome Fire are honored by firefighting crews in Yosemite National Park. (Image credit: CalFire)
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.
The tragedy unfolded as hundreds of personnel battled the Dome Fire in rugged, difficult-to-reach sections of Yosemite. The wildfire had burned 3,420 acres and was 15% contained as of Monday evening, according to CAL FIRE.
Yosemite seeking information on Dome Fire cause
The fire was reported on the morning of Sept. 15 about a quarter-mile north of Chilnualna Falls. It quickly spread through grass, brush and timber while moving upslope with the wind. Steep terrain and limited access have forced crews to rely heavily on helicopters for water drops, supplies and transportation.
Firefighters have also encountered heavy fuels and red fir trees capable of producing embers that can start spot fires ahead of the main flames. The fire has continued spreading into the footprint of the 2017 Empire Fire, where areas with less vegetation have helped reduce some fire behavior.
Weather conditions have periodically added to the challenge. Gusty winds have carried embers beyond the fire’s perimeter, while morning temperature inversions have trapped smoke close to the ground. Smoke has reduced air quality in Wawona and Yosemite Valley, at times reaching levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
No evacuation orders or warnings were in effect, and officials said the fire did not pose an immediate threat to developed areas or infrastructure. Yosemite National Park remained open, but the Chilnualna Falls Trail and several surrounding backcountry areas were closed.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation. The National Park Service is asking anyone who saw a campfire along the Chilnualna Falls Trail between Sept. 9 and Sept. 15 to call the agency’s tip line at 888-653-0009 or submit information online.
Fire restrictions had been in place in Yosemite at elevations of 8,000 feet and below since Aug. 1. Officials have not said whether a campfire caused the Dome Fire.
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