Two pilots died Thursday after a helicopter crashed in Idaho while helping fight a wildfire, authorities said. It was the second such fatal crash involving helicopters responding to wildfires in less than a week.
The two people on board, Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jared Byrd, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska, are decorated military veterans and experienced pilots who worked for ROTAK Helicopter Services, said Tracy Zimmerly, a district ranger with Lowman Ranger District in Lowman, Idaho.
“Our firefighting community is close, so this hits us hard,” she said.
It was the latest in a string of deaths among helicopters providing wildfire relief: On Saturday, four men were killed while returning to Albuquerque in a helicopter after responding to a wildfire in New Mexico. And last month, the pilot of a helicopter working on a wildfire in Alaska died in a crash, The Anchorage Daily News reported.
Pilots in Idaho were flying a CH-47D Chinook to help firefighters battling the Moose Fire, which has burned more than 23,000 acres since Sunday. The Chinook crashed near Salmon, Idaho, ROTAK said. It was one of about 10 helicopters assigned to the fire, Ranger Zimmerli said.
It’s not yet clear what caused the crash, authorities said, but the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will investigate.
ROTAK Helicopter Services, which was working as a government contractor, said it had “voluntarily implemented a safe reserve” and was suspending operations with its other CH-47D helicopters until further notice. Eli Woods, the company’s general manager, said employees were devastated by the deaths.
“Tommy and Jared represented the best our country has to offer,” Mr Woods said. “Both were decorated veterans, hard workers and outstanding pilots. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and loved ones.”
On Friday, Gov. Brad Little of Idaho ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the pilots until their memorial services are held.
“Our brave firefighters face extremely challenging conditions to protect lives, property and land,” he said in a statement. “Idaho residents are praying for the loved ones and colleagues of these firefighters as we mourn this tremendous loss.”
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