California Park Fire now one of the largest in state history
The Park Fire has now burned more than 300,000 acres in Northern California and threatens the entire town of Paradise, which lost dozens of residents to the 2018 Camp Fire.
Haines, Oregon – A pilot operating an aerial tanker died while trying to contain a lightning-sparked wildfire in eastern Oregon, U.S. Forest Service officials said Friday.
The wreckage of the single-engine plane was found near the Falls Fire, with the pilot reportedly the only passenger on board.
Authorities have not specified the cause of the crash, but the wreckage was found in a forested mountain area of the Malheur National Forest.
Photos of the Cascades Fire in eastern Oregon. (Inciweb/Fox Weather)
“It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of a member of the wildland firefighter community following the conclusion of the search for the BLM-contracted Single Engine Aerial Tanker (SEAT),” the U.S. Fire Administration said in a joint news release.
The Falls Fire is one of at least five fires across the state that have grown to 100,000 acres or larger.
More than 1,500 personnel have been assigned to try to control the wildfires that started on July 10.
As evacuation orders spread, California's park fires now become the worst in state history
The pilot's death marks the second incident in recent weeks where a firefighter has been killed in a plane crash.
Earlier this month, a pilot was reportedly killed in a fire outside of Helena, Montana.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating both crashes and it could take months to figure out what went wrong.
Six firefighters are killed each year nationwide in aviation accidents during what is considered a critical phase in fighting wildfires, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Between 2000 and 2013, engine failure and loss of control were the leading causes of fatal aircraft crashes.
CHECK OUT: Oregon is battling the nation's biggest 'big fire'
Fire activity has increased across much of Oregon and the West due to declining soil moisture and extreme heat waves.
Nearly 3.8 million acres have burned nationwide and firefighters are battling about 100 blazes, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
The Park Fire is the largest wildfire this year, burning more than 300,000 acres in Northern California. As the fire spread rapidly outside Chico, at least 134 buildings were destroyed and more than 4,000 people were evacuated. Local officials said the fire was man-made and arrested a local resident who pushed his car down an embankment on July 25.
A cool, wet weekend is expected to help firefighters increase containment lines around the fire ahead of dry, windy conditions during the coming work week.
California's top 10 fires. (Forth Weather)
