2 pilots killed in helicopter crash fighting wildfire in U.S. California

SACRAMENTO, United States, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Two pilots were killed Sunday when a contract helicopter crashed while supporting firefighting operations on the Dome Fire, a wildfire in Yosemite National Park, California, the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection said Monday.

The crash occurred at about 2:55 p.m. local time (2155 GMT) in Mariposa County, with two people aboard, according to the agency.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.

The National Park Service said Monday that the Dome Fire was 15 percent contained. The fire, first reported Sept. 15 near Chilnualna Falls in the Wawona area, has prompted some trail and backcountry closures, while the Yosemite park remains open.