All local California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection fire stations and offices will fly the American Flag at half mast in remembrance of airtanker 130´s crew killed fighting the wildfire near Walker, California yesterday.
The crash victims were identified as pilot Steven Wass of Gardnerville, Nevada; co-pilot Craig Labare of Loomis, and crew member Michael Davis of Bakersfield.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Forest Service spokesman Matt Mathes says Regional Forester Jack Blackwell, a pilot, will personally lead the probe.
The airtanker took off from the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden, Nevada, before crashing Monday.
Seven C-130As currently are on contract to fight fires and five were in use at the time of the grounding.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 5:26 pm