Cedar Basin Fire plane crash – Two firefighters die in aircraft accident while battling Arizona wildfires

TWO firefighters died while fighting an Arizona wildfire from the skies when their plane crashed as they performed aerial reconnaissance on the blaze.

Authorities said the crash occurred around noon on Saturday as the firefighters monitored the Cedar Basin Fire from the sky.

The plane crash occurred as firefighters attempted to monitor the fire from above

The firefighters were acting as “eyes in the sky” for those on the ground battling the inferno, bureau spokesperson Dolores Garcia told AZ Central.

Local, state, and federal agencies are investigating the crash, but no additional details will be available until the families of the firefighters are notified.

“Our hearts go out to the families of our brave wildland firefighters,” the fire department said in a statement.

The fire was reported on Friday evening after lightning strikes in Wikieup, Arizona.

Officials told AZ Central the blaze has burned approximately 300 acres as some 45 fire personnel work to contain the fire.