Air tanker crash kills 2 at site of Utah wildfire

Catch up with NBC News Clone on today's hot topic: Air Tanker Crash Kills 2 Site Utah Wildfire Flna812666 - Breaking News | NBC News Clone. Our editorial team reformatted this story for clarity and speed.

June 4, 2012, 1:37 PM EDT

By PhotoBlog

The crash scene of a heavy air tanker is seen from the air, June 4, 2012, near Hamblin Valley Utah. The P2v Heavy air tanker crashed Sunday afternoon, killing pilots Todd Neal Tompkins and Ronnie Edwin Chambless, both of Boise, Idaho.Photos by Scott G Winterton / AP

The crash and fire are seen from the air Monday.

The Associated Press reports:

An air tanker dropping retardant on a remote wildfire along the Utah-Nevada line crashed Sunday afternoon, killing both crew members, authorities said.

The pilots were fighting the 5,000-acre White Rock Fire, which began burning Friday night after a lightning strike in eastern Nevada. The fire spread across the Utah line Saturday night, but most of the blaze remained in Nevada, about 150 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Follow @msnbc_pictures

•Sign up for the msnbc.com Photos Newsletter

Related Articles