Dome Fire Helicopter Crash Kills Two Pilots
Pilots Greg King and Ryan Cutter died September 20, 2026, while fighting the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in National Parks
Two helicopter pilots, Greg King and Ryan Cutter, were killed on September 20, 2026, when their aircraft crashed while fighting the Dome Fire in Yosemite National Park. The helicopter plunged to the ground on its third water drop.
Why it matters
The deaths bring the number of wildland firefighters, pilots and contractors killed this year to 17, surpassing the full-year average over the past decade. The crash comes as the Department of the Interior has issued a new full fire suppression policy and firefighting authority has shifted away from the park service.
The Wildland Fire Service counts 17 wildland firefighter, pilot and contractor deaths so far this year, above the past decade's full-year average, with six injuries reported. The NTSB has not determined the exact cause of the crash, which a preliminary report links to problems with the water bucket.
The players
Department of the Interior
The federal department that now holds firefighting authority in national parks, having taken over that role from the National Park Service under a new full fire suppression policy.
National Park Service
The federal agency that manages Yosemite National Park and no longer holds firefighting authority following the policy shift.
National Transportation Safety Board
The federal agency investigating the cause of the helicopter crash that killed the two pilots.
The details
The pilots were conducting water drops using an 800-gallon bucket on a 200-foot-long line when the helicopter went down on its third drop after refueling. The response to the Dome Fire involved over 1,000 personnel and 17 helicopters at peak, with estimated total costs of up to $20,000,000.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: Helicopter crash kills Greg King and Ryan Cutter fighting the Dome Fire.
September 2026: The Dome Fire breaks out in Yosemite National Park.
Seasonal Patterns
The 17 wildland deaths recorded this year surpass the full-year average over the past decade, placing 2026 among the deadliest recent fire seasons for firefighters. The crash occurred as the Department of the Interior's new full fire suppression policy redefined who controls firefighting in Yosemite National Park.
Visitors to Yosemite National Park should expect that firefighters now wear W95 respirators and undergo mandatory field showers and gear cleaning at fire camps. Fire-related operations and their impact on park access may affect trip planning.
The takeaway
The fatalities and policy shift highlight how fire response in national parks now carries heightened risk for aviation crews and requires close attention to safety protocols and visitor planning.
Further reading
Explore more on National Parks to see how fire management affects visitors to California's protected lands.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Valley Public Radio.
