Chopper crashes while fighting B.C. wildfire

Two helicopter pilots are in hospital after their helicopter crashed while fighting a fire in B.C.'s southern interior.

RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said both the pilot and co-pilot were injured in the crash, but both were conscious when they were rescued.

"Essentially it's being described that they were operating at a very active front area of the fire and essentially crashed at the fire's edge, or near the fire's edge," he said.

Both the pilot, a 61-year-old man from Vernon, and co-pilot, a 27-year-old man from Abbotsford, were airlifted to a hospital in Kamloops for treatment.

"Extraction crews worked very quickly in getting to the two men and moving them out of further harm's way, given the danger that the crash location posed," Moskaluk said.

"Although a somber reminder of the inherent risk involved in the carrying out of these fire fighting duties, all agencies and the community at large were relieved to hear that the two men were recovered injured but alive. We're all very thankful for that."

Transwest Helicopters Ltd., the company that employs the men, said it seems their helicopter lost power while in mid-air.'

The crash will be investigated by Transport Canada, Moskaluk said.