The wildfire that claimed the life of a helicopter pilot south of Coalinga is 100% contained, Cal Fire officials said Monday night. The Hills Fire, which burned 2,121 acres, started on Aug. 15. Mike Fournier, 52, of Rancho Cucamonga, died Wednesday morning when his Bell UH-1H copter suddenly crashed into...
Pilot Killed Fighting Coalinga Wildfire Leaves Grieving Family
The helicopter pilot who died fighting one of the hundreds of wildfires raging across California was making water drops over hilly, rugged terrain when his aircraft suddenly plunged to the ground, leaving behind a grieving family as authorities begin a painstaking effort to try to determine what caused the tragedy....
Sheriff IDs Dead Helicopter Pilot in Hills Fire Crash
UPDATE: 11:15 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 20: The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says the helicopter pilot who died in a crash near Coalinga is Michael John Fournier, 52, of Rancho Cucamonga. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Fournier was identified by his grief-stricken family in Rancho Cucamonga, where...
Helicopter Pilot Dies in Crash While Fighting Wildfire Near Coalinga
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. A pilot has died after his...