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Two helicopter pilots died when their Super Puma helicopter crashed near Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park while battling the Dome Fire on Sunday. One pilot, Greg King, had previously worked for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection and was identified by family consent. The fire covers about 4.7 square miles and is 15 percent contained; approximately 580 personnel are involved in firefighting efforts. The article focuses on honoring the pilots’ dedication to wildland firefighting and expresses condolences from their employer, Precision, while noting a rise in wildfire-related fatalities this year.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-22,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 20, two helicopter pilots died when their aircraft crashed while battling the Dome Fire near Ostrander Lake in Yosemite National Park, California. The crash occurred around 3 pm PT, southeast of Wawona and south of El Capitan. Both pilots were employed by Precision Helicopters and were conducting water drops as part of fire suppression efforts.
The Eurocopter AS32 helicopter involved in the incident was one of several aerial resources aiding ground crews fighting the blaze, which had burned over 3,000 acres since its inception on September 15. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash.
One pilot has been identified as Greg King, a veteran of Alaska’s firefighting community who moved to Precision recently. No other identifying details about the second pilot have been released publicly due to privacy concerns expressed by family members.
Written for “Helicopter Crash Fighting Yosemite Fires” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.
Two helicopter pilots died in a helicopter crash in Yosemite National Park on Sunday while conducting water drops over a wildfire, officials have confirmed.
asserted
officials → die → wildfire
The pair were the only occupants on board and were employed by aviation contractor Precision.
asserted
pair → employ → Precision
One of the pilots has been identified as Greg King, who previously worked for the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire Protection tackling wildland blazes before joining Precision, according to agency spokesperson Emery Johnson.
uncertain
who → identify → Johnson
King’s close relatives work for the agency and gave permission to release his name, Johnson said.
asserted
Johnson → work → name
The identity of the second pilot has not yet been disclosed.
asserted
identity → disclose → pilot
The Super Puma helicopter they were on had been using a water bucket to support fire suppression efforts when it crashed near a lake, said Benjamin Cossel, a spokesperson for the Federal Complex Incident Management Team.
asserted
Cossel → use → Team
The crash occurred southeast of Ostrander Lake, roughly 7 miles (11 kilometres) northeast of Wawona and 9 miles (14 kilometres) south of Yosemite’s El Capitan.
asserted
crash → occur → Capitan
An investigation into the circumstances will be conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
asserted
investigation → conduct → Administration
Describing the deaths as a devastating loss for the wildland firefighting community, the Alaska agency said in a statement: "Greg was a dedicated aviator and a dear friend to many of us.
asserted
Greg → describe → us
We are mourning both pilots who bravely supported firefighting efforts, and our hearts go out to their families,"
asserted
hearts → mourn → families
Writing on social media, Precision said the firm was "struggling to find the words.
asserted
firm → write → words
"
"We ask for privacy and compassion for their families and our team as we grieve this tremendous loss," the statement added.
asserted
statement → ask → loss
Around 580 personnel are tackling the Dome Fire, which ignited on 15 September near Wawona, California.
asserted
which → tackle → Wawona
It covers roughly 4.7 square miles (12.3 square kilometres) and is 15 per cent contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
uncertain
It → cover → Center
At least 14 people assisting with US wildfire operations have died this year, marking the highest toll since 2022 when 25 fatalities occurred.
asserted
fatalities → assist → 2022
In August, two helicopter pilots died during a Utah wildfire, while another crashed into a reservoir in Colorado.
asserted
another → die → Colorado
Other recent fatalities include an Oklahoma firefighter who suffered a medical emergency this month, and another in Oregon struck by a falling tree.
asserted
who → include → tree
In August, an Oklahoma officer was killed while evacuating a burning building, a Minnesota firefighter died following a medical emergency, and an Oregon bulldozer operator was overrun by flames.
asserted
operator → kill → flames
In June, four firefighters were trapped by a blaze in western Colorado.
asserted
firefighters → trap → Colorado
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