CDF Flags At Half-staff For Killed Tanker Crew

All local California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection fire stations and offices will fly the American Flag at half mast in remembrance of airtanker 130´s crew killed fighting the wildfire near Walker, California yesterday.

The crash victims were identified as pilot Steven Wass of Gardnerville, Nevada; co-pilot Craig Labare of Loomis, and crew member Michael Davis of Bakersfield.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Forest Service spokesman Matt Mathes says Regional Forester Jack Blackwell, a pilot, will personally lead the probe.

The airtanker took off from the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden, Nevada, before crashing Monday.

Seven C-130As currently are on contract to fight fires and five were in use at the time of the grounding.