MARIPOSA COUNTY — The Federal Aviation Administration stated the crash occurred at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday. The agency reported that the Eurocopter AS332 had two people on board at the time of the incident.

The helicopter was operated by firefighting contractor FlyPrecision. The company confirmed the deaths of two team members in a social media post on September 21, 2026.

FlyPrecision expressed grief over the loss in its statement. "It is with unimaginable sadness and broken hearts that we share the loss of two beloved members of our team." It added, "We are devastated by this loss and are struggling to find the words."

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is also involved in the inquiry into the accident involving the civil transportation aircraft.

Devin Young, public information officer with CIMT Team 3, described the operational approach. "It is a full suppression fire. So we are going to react with all of our firefighters and personnel and equipment and aircraft and throwing everything at it that we can right now," Young said.

Nearly 500 personnel have responded to the Dome Fire incident. Several helicopters have been assigned to the fire to transport firefighters and conduct water-dropping operations.

The Dome Fire had burned more than 3,000 acres and was 15 percent contained as of the latest update. Additional reporting indicated the fire had burned at least 3,047 acres as of 9:18 p.m. Sunday.

Winds are carrying embers ahead of the main portion of the Dome Fire, resulting in spot fires to the north. Cal Fire said the Dome Fire is reaching areas previously burned by other fires, including the 2017 Empire Fire.

It said the cause of the Dome Fire remains under investigation. No evacuation orders were in place for the Dome Fire area.

Timeline

Two people were killed when a helicopter crashed while fighting the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park on September 20, 2026. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the Eurocopter AS332 crashed around 2:55 p.m. on September 20, 2026, during firefighter operations, with two people on board. The helicopter was operated by firefighting contractor FlyPrecision on September 20, 2026.

What's New

Further details established that the Dome Fire started Tuesday morning near Wawona Dome inside Yosemite National Park. Yosemite National Park remains open, though several trails have been temporarily closed because of the fire. It said the Dome Fire is reaching areas previously burned by other fires, including the 2017 Empire Fire.

Why It Matters

The crash shows the risks faced by aerial firefighting crews during large-scale wildfire suppression efforts. The involvement of the National Transportation Safety Board reflects the severity of the incident and the need for a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident.

The Dome Fire continues to burn through significant acreage in Yosemite National Park, requiring the deployment of nearly 500 personnel and multiple aircraft. The closure of trails and the spread of spot fires due to wind conditions demonstrate the ongoing threat to the park infrastructure and natural resources, even as no evacuation orders remain in place.