Current:Home > ContactFirefighting pilot killed in small plane crash in Montana-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Firefighting pilot killed in small plane crash in Montana
lotradecoin blockchain network compatibility View Date:2024-12-25 14:51:08
A pilot died when a single-engine firefighting aircraft crashed into a Montana reservoir Wednesday afternoon while scooping up water to fight a nearby blaze, officials said.
The crash was reported shortly after noon on Hauser Reservoir on the Missouri River northeast of Helena in Lewis and Clark County.
Law enforcement and search and rescue teams in boats responded, along with divers from Gallatin County.
Officials said later in a news conference that the "scooper" plane's pilot, a 45-year-old woman, died. They did not provide a name pending notification of next of kin who do not live in the United States, the Independent Record newspaper reported.
"This is not just coming in and flying and picking up water. These are dangerous types of environments," Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton said.
The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and the U.S. Forest Service will investigate the crash of the Air Tractor AT-802, which was working for the Forest Service and contracted out of Idaho.
The pilot was part of a crew fighting the nearby Horse Gulch Fire, a 600-acre human-caused blaze burning in dense timber in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest about 5 miles south of the town of York. The fire started Tuesday, and the sheriff's office ordered some residents to evacuate Wednesday afternoon. The fire has no containment.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the young female wildland firefighter who tragically lost her life responding to the Horse Gulch fire in Helena, Montana," Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in a joint statement. "Our first responders and wildland firefighters put their lives on the line to quickly respond to threats and protect our communities. It's a true act of bravery to run toward a fire."
High temperatures in the Helena area have been above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for several days and were forecast to reach 100 degrees on Wednesday.
- In:
- Montana
- Wildfire
veryGood! (61958)
Related
- How you can get a free scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins Wednesday
- Paris Olympics live updates: Noah Lyles takes 200m bronze; USA men's hoops rally for win
- Officials recover New Mexico woman’s body from the Grand Canyon, the 3rd death there since July 31
- Explorer’s family could have difficulty winning their lawsuit against Titan sub owner, experts say
- US Army intelligence analyst pleads guilty to selling military secrets to China
- See first look at Travis Kelce hosting 'Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?'
- 2024 Olympics: Runner Noah Lyles Exits Race in Wheelchair After Winning Bronze With COVID Diagnosis
- USA Olympic Diver Alison Gibson Reacts to Being Labeled Embarrassing Failure After Dive Earns 0.0 Score
- Head of Theodore Roosevelt National Park departs North Dakota job
- Dementia patient found dead in pond after going missing from fair in Indiana, police say
Ranking
- Collin Gosselin Says He Was Discharged from the Marines Due to Being Institutionalized by Mom Kate
- Police shooting of Baltimore teen prompts outrage among residents
- 2024 Olympics: Jordan Chiles Speaks Out About Winning Bronze Medal After Appeal
- PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Thursday August 8, 2024
- Ex-YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki dies a year after stepping down. Who is the current CEO?
- Paris Olympics live updates: Noah Lyles takes 200m bronze; USA men's hoops rally for win
- 2024 Olympics: Jordan Chiles Speaks Out About Winning Bronze Medal After Appeal
- Snake hunters will wrangle invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades during Florida’s 10-day challenge
Recommendation
-
The State Fair of Texas is banning firearms, drawing threats of legal action from Republican AG
-
1000-Lb. Sisters' Tammy Slaton Shares Glimpse at Hair Transformation
-
Missouri man dies illegally BASE jumping at Grand Canyon National Park; parachute deployed
-
North Carolina man wins $1.1M on lottery before his birthday; he plans to buy wife a house
-
American Supercar: A first look at the 1,064-HP 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
-
The Latest: With major party tickets decided, 2024 campaign is set to play out as a 90-day sprint
-
Dead woman found entangled in baggage machinery at Chicago airport
-
Iranian brothers charged in alleged smuggling operation that led to deaths of 2 Navy SEALs