Downed copter continues to burn; two firefighters' conditions upgraded

Downed copter continues to burn; two firefighters' conditions upgraded
John Koopman,Kelly Zito, Chronicle Staff Writer

Thursday, August 7, 2008
(08-07) 12:25 PDT REDDING - -- The wreckage of a helicopter continued to burn in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest last night, hampering efforts by authorities to recover and identify the remains of a team of firefighters who crashed on takeoff after helping to fight a wildland fire.

Joe Fields, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service, said the National Transportation Safety Bureau was on the scene and attempting to start its investigation, but extreme heat from the burning aviation fuel and smoldering remains of the helicopter prevented access to the site.

The crash seriously injured three firefighters and the co-pilot of the helicopter. Three of the injured were transferred to UC Davis Medical Center, while the fourth remained at Mercy Hospital in Redding.

There were nine other people on board the aircraft. The Trinity County Sheriff's Department confirmed one death yesterday but the other eight are listed as missing. They are presumed to have died in the crash.

Ten of the 11 passengers worked for Grayback Forestry of Merlin, Ore., a private contracting firm. It was unclear who the 11th passenger on board the aircraft was, but some reports indicated that it was an official with the Forest Service.
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