YAKIMA COUNTY, WA – A San Diego-based F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed into a mountainside near Rimrock Lake on Saturday, triggering a wildfire, campground evacuations, and emergency road closures.
The Crash and Pilot Ejection
The military aircraft, stationed out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, crashed within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. According to military officials, the pilot successfully ejected from the jet before impact. Remarkably, no injuries have been reported on the ground or to the pilot.
Witnesses near the lakefront reported hearing a loud “popping sound” from the engine before noticing the jet emitting thick smoke and crashing directly into the tree line.
Wildfire and Immediate Evacuations
The impact ignited a blaze that quickly grew to 1.5 acres near Forest Road 1241. Because of the immediate fire threat and active response, authorities ordered:
- The immediate evacuation of nearby campgrounds.
- The closure of all roads south of Rimrock Lake off Forest Road 1200.
Helicopters and ground crews from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are actively battling the flames. No official containment estimate has been released by the National Interagency Fire Center.
Military Response and Cleanup
The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that military authorities have been notified and are deploying specialized personnel and resources to secure the crash site.
Fire crews remained on the scene throughout the weekend to manage hot spots and assist with mop-up efforts. The cause of the engine failure remains under active investigation.
