A tragic helicopter crash during a firefighting mission in California has claimed the lives of three individuals. The incident occurred while fire crews were responding to a blaze near Cabazon, Riverside County.

Two helicopters were involved in the collision. While one helicopter managed to land safely, the second helicopter crashed into the ground, resulting in the loss of all occupants on board. The victims included a fire captain and division chief from California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), as well as a contracted pilot. Their identities have not been disclosed.

The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

David Fulcher, the southern region chief for Cal Fire, expressed deep sorrow for the loss of three dedicated individuals. He emphasized the impact of this tragedy on their families and the broader firefighting community.

The fire that prompted the firefighting mission initially broke out within a building and later spread to the surrounding vegetation. The crash itself led to an additional four-acre fire, which was subsequently extinguished along with the original blaze.

The helicopters involved were a Bell helicopter, used for observation, and a Sikorsky Skycrane, which typically carries fire retardant or water. Both helicopters were contracted to Cal Fire.

This incident marks the first fatalities of the 2023 fire season, according to Cal Fire records. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the risks and challenges faced by firefighting personnel in their efforts to protect communities and combat wildfires.

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