Two pilots died when a contract helicopter supporting the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park crashed during water-dropping operations southeast of Ostrander Lake. The incident occurred as crews battled rugged terrain and shifting weather that complicated containment efforts, with the fire having burned about 3,420 acres and being 15% contained as of the latest update. The pilots, Greg King and Ryan Cutter, were with Fly Precision, and their deaths prompted a community procession in Mariposa County as investigators from the FAA and NTSB work to determine the cause. Authorities emphasized that the fire posed no immediate threat to developed areas, even as access to some backcountry trails remained restricted. Planes and ground crews will continue efforts to contain the blaze, with further findings expected from the investigation.
Dive Deeper:
The Dome Fire in Yosemite began on Sept. 15 near Chilnualna Falls and spread rapidly through grass, brush, and timber, moving upslope with wind, prompting intensive firefighting by hundreds of personnel and heavy reliance on helicopters for water drops.
Greg King, a veteran Alaska wildland firefighter, and Ryan Cutter, both pilots for Fly Precision, were identified as the deceased; Fly Precision described them as beloved members of its firefighting team.
The FAA and NTSB are jointly investigating the crash, with authorities noting the helicopter crashed during water-dropping operations in steep, remote terrain southeast of Ostrander Lake.
At the time of reporting, the Dome Fire had burned 3,420 acres and was 15% contained, complicating suppression efforts due to rugged terrain and ongoing embers capable of starting spot fires ahead of the main fire.
Weather conditions fluctuated, including gusty winds and morning inversions that trapped smoke, reducing air quality in nearby areas, though Yosemite Park remained open with some trails and backcountry areas closed.
A memorial procession was held in Mariposa County to honor the two pilots, underscoring the broader human cost and the dangers firefighters face in remote wilderness environments.