Pilot dies in crash of air tanker fighting northern California wildfire

The pilot of an air tanker fighting a wildfire near California's Yosemite National Park died Tuesday when the aircraft crashed. California Fire spokeswoman Alyssa Smith said in a statement that crews reached the wreckage several hours after the crash and confirmed the pilot's death. The pilot's identity was not released because all immediate family had not yet been notified. "This crash underscores just how inherently dangerous wildland firefighting is and the job is further compounded this year by extreme fire conditions," Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director, said in the statement. "We have secured the crash site and will be cooperating with the NTSB on their investigation." Yosemite spokesman Scott Gediman told the Associated Press that the plane went down at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time less than a mile from the western entrance to the park...more