Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Helicopter Pilot Dies in Crash While Fighting Wildfire Near Coalinga
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
August 20, 2020

Share

A pilot battling the Hills Fire about nine miles south of Coalinga died when a helicopter crashed Wednesday morning.

The Bell UH-1H helicopter was on a water-dropping mission on the Hills Fire, Cal Fire officials said.

The pilot was the only one on board.

The Fresno Sheriff’s office was called shortly after 11 a.m. to assist in recovering the pilot’s body.

The crash caused a new 20-acre fire to break out, authorities said, but it is expected to spread into the main fire.

CNN reported that the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

On Wednesday morning, Cal Fire said the Hills Fire was 1,500 acres and 35% contained.

Photo of a Bell UH-1H "Super Huey" helicopter used by Cal Fire
A Bell UH-1H “Super Huey” helicopter used by Cal Fire. (fire.ca.gov)

Crews Battling 367 Wildfires in California

The helicopter crash happened on a day when fire crews were spread thin throughout California.

At least 367 fires, mostly in Northern California, were sparked by nearly 11,000 lightning strikes on Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

“We are experiencing fires the likes of which we haven’t seen in many, many years,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

The fires come as the state endures a heatwave, electricity shortages, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My recommendation is that all the citizens in California be ready to go if there is a wildfire,” Cal Fire spokeswoman Lynnette Round said. “Residents have to have their bags packed up with your nose facing out your driveway so you can leave quickly. Everybody should be ready to go, especially if you’re in a wildfire area.”

An outbuilding burns as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through the Spanish Flat area of unincorporated Napa County on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. Fire crews across the region scrambled to contain dozens of wildfires sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heatwave continues. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Fresno, Tulare Emergency Medical Teams Sent to Fires

The state requested that two Valley ambulance strike teams report to the Lightning Complex Fire on Wednesday morning.

A strike team is comprised of five paramedic ambulances and a supervisor.

Members from American Ambulance in Fresno and Kingsburg Fire Ambulance made up one team. It was dispatched to Napa County.

American Ambulance members from Visalia comprised a team sent to Kaiser Hospital in Vacaville.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel From 12 Countries, CBS News Reports

DON'T MISS

Sunnyvale Pitmaster Smokes Fresno BBQ Competition for Golden Ticket to World Championships

DON'T MISS

What We Know About the Colorado Attack on Israeli Hostage Demonstrators

DON'T MISS

Visalia Motorists Take Note: Traffic Shift Coming to Riggin Avenue

DON'T MISS

Really, Secretary Rubio? I’m Lying About the Kids Dying Under Trump?

DON'T MISS

Judge Denies Release in Caleb Quick Killing. Defense Cites Alleged Assaults by Victim

DON'T MISS

Nebraska Is the Latest State to Ban Transgender Students From Girls’ Sports

DON'T MISS

US Vetoes UN Security Council Resolution Demanding an Immediate Gaza Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

International Basketball Comes to Fresno: Armenia vs. Costa Rica

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: A New Research Hub in Southeast Fresno?

UP NEXT

Suspect Arrested in Connection With Deadly California Fertility Clinic Bombing

UP NEXT

US Sees No Viable Path for California High-Speed Rail Project, May Rescind $4 Billion

UP NEXT

US Judge Dismisses California’s Tariff Lawsuit, Teeing up Appeal

UP NEXT

Young Democrats Offer Lessons for Their Leaders at Party Convention

UP NEXT

California Prisons Have a Narcotics Problem. Now, More People Will Face Canine Searches

UP NEXT

California Inmate Gets Five Years for Role in Drone Drug Smuggling Scheme

UP NEXT

Trump Threatens California With Fines After Trans Athlete Wins Girls’ State Titles

UP NEXT

Trump Amplifies Outlandish Robot Biden Conspiracy Theory

UP NEXT

Trans Athlete in Political Storm Earns, and Shares, First Place in Event

UP NEXT

California Plans to Ban Most Plants Within 5 Feet of Homes for Wildfire Safety

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

2 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

3 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

3 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

4 hours ago

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

4 hours ago

Did That Clint Eastwood Interview Happen? Yes, Kind Of.

4 hours ago

Biden’s IRS Doubled Audits on the Wealthy, Data Shows

4 hours ago

Millions Would Lose Their Obamacare Coverage Under Trump’s Bill

5 hours ago

New CA Bill Would Streamline Solar Conversion for Dry Farmland

5 hours ago

Supreme Court Rules Catholic Charity Exempt From State Unemployment Taxes

5 hours ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

(CAIRO) (Reuters) -The Israeli military said on Thursday that it was attacking Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs, and the...

33 seconds ago

33 seconds ago

Israeli Military Strikes Beirut’s Southern Suburbs

Webster, GV Wire's Adoptable Pet of the Week, June 5, 2025
5 minutes ago

Wondrous Webster Has the Makings of a Wonderful Family Member

8 minutes ago

Trump Threatens Musk’s Government Deals as Feud Explodes Over Tax-Cut Bill

2 hours ago

Fresno Police Want Your Tips to Solve Taylor Washington Homicide

3 hours ago

Derek Carr Explains Mysterious Retirement. He Didn’t Want to ‘Just Take the Saints’ Money’

3 hours ago

What Do Valley Leaders Say About Trump’s Threat to Yank High-Speed Rail Funding?

4 hours ago

Were Cuts in Rooftop Solar Payments Legal? CA Supreme Court Hears Arguments

4 hours ago

Fresno Rainbow Pride Marks 35th Year with Saturday Parade and Festival

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend