Two helicopter crew members were killed after a Eurocopter AS332 crashed in Mariposa County, California, while supporting firefighting operations on the Dome Fire, which has burned more than 3,000 acres.
The helicopter crashed shortly before 3 p.m. on Monday as it was assisting firefighters battling the wildfire. The Dome Fire began on September 15 near Wawona Dome in Yosemite National Park and has continued to spread across difficult, steep terrain.
The fire was about 15 per cent contained in the latest update. Helicopters have been an important part of the firefighting response, helping move personnel and providing aerial support as crews work to contain the blaze.
The crash has added to the challenges facing firefighters operating in the rugged area. Details about what happened before the helicopter went down have not yet been released.
Precision, the contractor involved in the operation, described the loss of the two crew members as devastating. The company expressed its condolences to the families and requested privacy for them as they cope with the deaths.
The identities of the two crew members have not been provided in the available information.
BREAKING: 2 pilots killed after a helicopter crashes while battling the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park; the fire has burned more than 3,000 acres and is 15% contained. pic.twitter.com/e2JjqNhE22
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) September 21, 2026
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. Investigators will work to determine what caused the Eurocopter AS332 to go down while supporting the wildfire response.
No official cause of the crash has been announced so far. Further details are expected as investigators examine the aircraft, the circumstances surrounding the flight and other factors that may have contributed to the incident.
The Dome Fire remains an active wildfire, with firefighters continuing efforts to increase containment. The steep terrain has made the operation particularly challenging and increased the importance of aerial resources in reaching areas that are difficult for ground crews to access.
The incident highlights the risks faced by aviation crews supporting wildfire operations. Helicopters are frequently used to transport firefighters, equipment and supplies, as well as to assist with firefighting from the air.
Authorities are expected to provide additional information about the crash and the ongoing investigation as it becomes available. For now, firefighting crews remain focused on containing the Dome Fire while investigators work to establish the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.