Helicopter fighting brushfires in California crashes after mid-air collision
A firefighting helicopter carrying out firefighting operations in California crashed in a mid-air collision Sunday, according to reports.
The helicopter was at the site of a fire on 20 acres of Native American land in Cabazon around 5 p.m. when it crashed. CBS Los Angeles reported.
The crash happened south of Morongo Casino in Riverside County, the TV station reported.
It is not yet known how many people were on board and whether there were any injuries.
“It poses a hazard not only to firefighters on the ground, but also to firefighters in the air,” Cal Fire/Riverside County fire chief Richard Cordova told the station.
“We rely on each other to help and keep us safe.”
He said officers and first responders would stay on site until the fire was fully extinguished.
The helicopter was commissioned by the department used by the fire services. KABC reported.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of the crash is under investigation.
Further updates would come from the National Transportation Safety Board, the sheriff’s office said.
This is an evolving story.
