Helicopter fighting Derby fire apparently ends up in lake
Courtesy, National Forest Service
A helicopter pilot battling the Derby fire escaped with only minor bumps and bruises Friday after the aircraft he was flying apparently — somehow — ended up in a lake.
The U.S. Forest Service said the incident happened Friday afternoon around 4:10 about 13 miles northwest of the Eagle County Regional Airport.
The forest service said it had yet to independently confirm the helicopter was in the lake, but said another aircraft was able to pick up the injured pilot and fly him back to the Eagle County Regional Airport.
The pilot was checked out and needed no further medical attention, officials said.
The National Transportation Safety Board was notified and a USDA Forest Service investigation team was heading to the lake.
The Derby fire is burning in both Eagle and Garfield counties, about 13 miles north of Dotsero. It had scorched about 4,112 acres as of Friday evening, according to Inciweb, and was 0% contained.
There were 211 people battling the blaze on Friday.
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