Helicopter Crashes Bringing Supplies To Washington Firefighters

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) -- A helicopter crashed while ferrying supplies to firefighters in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness northwest of this central Washington town Wednesday, a Forest Service spokeswoman said.

The helicopter, a Bell 205 according to the Federal Aviation Administration, was bringing equipment to firefighters battling a small lightning-caused fire when it crashed at 10:20 a.m. 20 miles northwest of Leavenworth. Smokejumpers hiked to the scene _ both to check on the pilot and to douse the fire caused by the crash.

The pilot, from out of state, was the only person on board, DeMario said. The FAA said it had no information on the pilot's condition.

Spokeswoman Robin DeMario of the Okanagan and Wenatchee National Forest would not discuss the pilot's fate.