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CDF suffers double tragedy
SPRINGVILLE, Calif. (AP) - A pilot and firefighter were killed
Wednesday when their California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection plane crashed as they worked to battle a blaze in remote
Tulare County foothills, authorities said.
The crash of the OV-10 airtactical plane sparked a three-acre
wildfire near where firefighters battled the other blaze in the
Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, about 170 miles north of
Los Angeles, said CDF spokeswoman Becki Redwine.
The plane, which was surveilling the fire for ground crews, had
no communication just before the crash around 10:25 a.m., she said.
The victims were identified as George Willett, 52, a Hanford
pilot contracted to help battle the fire, and CDF Battalion Chief
Robert Paul Stone, 36, of Visalia.
More than 75 CDF and sheriff's deputies responded to the scene,
but the rough terrain made it hard to reach the crash, Redwine
said.
The original three-acre fire - thought to have been caused by a
campfire - was fully contained.
The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the
crash.
May our brothers rest in everlasting peace!
Wednesday when their California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection plane crashed as they worked to battle a blaze in remote
Tulare County foothills, authorities said.
The crash of the OV-10 airtactical plane sparked a three-acre
wildfire near where firefighters battled the other blaze in the
Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, about 170 miles north of
Los Angeles, said CDF spokeswoman Becki Redwine.
The plane, which was surveilling the fire for ground crews, had
no communication just before the crash around 10:25 a.m., she said.
The victims were identified as George Willett, 52, a Hanford
pilot contracted to help battle the fire, and CDF Battalion Chief
Robert Paul Stone, 36, of Visalia.
More than 75 CDF and sheriff's deputies responded to the scene,
but the rough terrain made it hard to reach the crash, Redwine
said.
The original three-acre fire - thought to have been caused by a
campfire - was fully contained.
The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the
crash.
May our brothers rest in everlasting peace!
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