Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

Air Tanker Crash Claims Pilot's Life At Dog Rock Fire In Yosemite National Park

Tuesday, October 7, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Photo courtesy National Park Service via YubaNet.com

Yosemite National Park View from Turtleback Dome showing smoke from the Dog Rock Fire Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy National Park Service via YubaNet.com

DOG ROCK FIRE UPDATES:

National Park Service

Yosemite National Park Facebook Page

Yubanet

CalFire News Release

Mariposa County Sheriff


UPDATE: 10:29 P.M.

CAL FIRE officials say the pilot of Air Tanker 81 was killed when the plane crashed Tuesday afternoon while fighting the Dog Rock Fire in Yosemite Park. The pilot's name has not been released, pending notification of family.

The S-2T tanker was based out of Hollister Air Attack Base, and was one of the 23 planes of that type operated by CAL FIRE.

A CAL FIRE statement on the crash says, “This crash underscores just how inherently dangerous wildland firefighting is and the job is further compounded this year by extreme fire conditions,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “We have secured the crash site and will be cooperating with the NTSB on their investigation.”

The Dog Rock Fire is burning on the El Portal Road between the park boundary and Arch Rock Entrance Station. It started about 2:45 p.m. and burned 150 acres as of late Tuesday. There were 200 personnel working the fire.

CAL FIRE Tanker 81 lost during the #DogRockFire. Photo from Loma Fire. pic.twitter.com/y6sxUMun1B

— Craig Rose (@fullfirstalarm) October 8, 2014

Another photo of CAL FIRE Tanker 81 lost today fighting #DogRockFire. Took this photo during Loma Fire. pic.twitter.com/OdO1o5zcEc

— Craig Rose (@fullfirstalarm) October 8, 2014

One more shot of CAL FIRE Tanker 81, lost today on the #DogRockFire. Took this shot on the Stevens Fire. pic.twitter.com/2twv2no9aP

— Craig Rose (@fullfirstalarm) October 8, 2014
Post by CAL FIRE.

UPDATE: 8:23 P.M.

Fire officials have identified the air tanker that crashed inside Yosemite National Park Tuesday afternoon as Tanker 81, with tail number N449FD. There is still no word on the status of the pilot.

 

FAA: @CAL_FIRE crashed tanker is N449FD; Tanker 81 per CalFire site. #Yosemite #news10 Photo: http://t.co/F5x31Xf4tz pic.twitter.com/BWQYyEQMOE

— Nick Monacelli (@nickmonacelli) October 8, 2014

 

UPDATE: 6:55 P.M.

Air Tankers working the Dog Rock Fire at Yosemite National Park have been grounded following the crash of an S-2T air tanker Tuesday afternoon. The condition of the pilot has not yet been determined.

Crews were hiking to the crash scene.

UPDATE 6:25 P.M.

Cal Fire confirmed an air tanker crashed while fighting a wildfire near Yosemite National Park. The condition of the pilot is unknown.

A CAL FIRE S-2T airtanker has crashed near the location of the #DogRockFire burning near #Yosemite. Condition of pilot undetermined.

— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) October 8, 2014

 


Officials say a wildfire burning in Yosemite National Park has caused the closure of Highway 140, which is the main park entrance.

Cal Fire said the fire started shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday and is 130 acres.

Cal Fire also reported this afternoon that it "lost contact" with one of its air tankers flying over the fire area.

Yosemite National Park officials said about 60 homes in Foresta, on the west side of the Park, is under evacuation orders. 

The same community had to evacuate for several weeks in July from one of several major wildfires that has burned in the park this year.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

Contact lost with one of CAL FIRE's airtankers flying near Yosemite National Park. Emergency crews responding. http://t.co/i7FFXEiBGc

— CAL FIRE PIO Berlant (@CALFIRE_PIO) October 8, 2014

@CAL_FIRE is assisting @YosemiteNPS with a wildfire on Hwy 140 @ Indian Creek, El Portal (Mariposa Cty) #DogRockFire http://t.co/VZADs8JMhj

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) October 7, 2014

-Capital Public Radio Staff


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  
Was this story useful?
yes
no

Will you help us improve our fires coverage? Head to our wildfire survey page to tell us what you think.

    More about wildfire

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    California Wildfires: Latest Updates

    CapRadio provides the latest information and updates on wildfires hitting the state, and resources for listeners to help prepare, follow and respond to fire.

    Related Stories

  • Wildfires

    Capital Public Radio provides the latest information and updates on wildfires hitting the state.

 wildfiredog rock fire

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Here’s What California Lawmakers Want To Do To Prevent The Wildfire Crisis From Getting Worse

January 15, 2021

Most Viewed

California’s Capitol On Guard: Inauguration Day Demonstrations End Peacefully

California Attorney General Files Nine Lawsuits In One Day As Trump Leaves Office

California Coronavirus Updates: More Than A Dozen COVID-19 Patients Being Treated At Former Kings Arena

Legal Observers Say Sacramento Police Arrests Unfairly Targeted Activists With Antifa On Eve Of Inauguration

Social Media Posts Push False Claims About Kamala Harris And Planned Parenthood

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California’s Capitol On Guard: Inauguration Day Demonstrations End Peacefully

California Attorney General Files Nine Lawsuits In One Day As Trump Leaves Office

California Coronavirus Updates: More Than A Dozen COVID-19 Patients Being Treated At Former Kings Arena

Legal Observers Say Sacramento Police Arrests Unfairly Targeted Activists With Antifa On Eve Of Inauguration

Social Media Posts Push False Claims About Kamala Harris And Planned Parenthood

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2021, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.