A military aircraft crashed near Rimrock Lake on Saturday afternoon in Yakima County, according to the Naches Fire Department.
The pilot safely ejected before the crash and was taken to a hospital.
The crash sparked a wildfire on the south side of the lake. The flames were being suppressed by helicopters and at least one fire engine from U.S. Forest Service — Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, according to the Naches Fire Department.
Fire crews advised people to stay out of the area, southeast of Mount Rainier National Park. Campers were being evacuated.
As of Saturday evening, it remained unclear what kind of aircraft crashed and what branch of the military it was affiliated with.
“Our units have completed structure protection near the Bear Creek cabins and have just cleared the scene,†according to the fire department. “Our tender will remain on scene through the afternoon and will likely return (Sunday) morning to support mop up operations of the fire.â€
In October 2024, two aviators based on Whidbey Island were killed when their Navy EA-18G Growler crashed on a routine training flight in the same general area east of Mount Rainier, near White Pass.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
