Two pilots died Sunday afternoon when their firefighting helicopter crashed while battling a wildfire in California’s Yosemite National Park, federal authorities confirmed Monday.
Greg King, a pilot employed by Precision Aviation under contract with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, was among those killed. The second pilot’s identity has not been released, as family members were still being notified, according to the agency. The crash occurred southeast of Ostrander Lake while the helicopter was performing water bucket drops on the Dome Fire, which began last Tuesday near Wawona Dome inside the park.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, which remains under review. The agencies have not yet determined the cause of the crash.
The deaths bring to five the number of helicopter pilots killed in crashes this year while fighting wildfires in Colorado, Utah, and California, according to federal data. At least 18 wildland firefighters have died in the U.S. in 2026, exceeding the full-year average of 17 deaths in recent decades.
The Dome Fire has activated over 500 crisis responders, including firefighters, emergency personnel, and support teams. The blaze is one of many burning across the U.S. West amid an intense wildfire season, fueled by record temperatures, historically low winter snowpack, and decades of drought. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that these conditions have contributed to an early and severe fire season, with firefighting operations ongoing in multiple states.