A military aircraft went down in forested terrain near Rimrock Lake in Yakima County on Saturday, triggering a wildfire and a rapid response from firefighters and law enforcement. Officials said the pilot managed to parachute out and was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Campers in the Rimrock area were evacuated, and aircraft and ground crews worked into the evening to keep the flames away from nearby cabins.
According to FOX 13 Seattle, the Naches Fire Department reported that the crash happened near Rimrock Lake, roughly halfway between Mount Rainier National Park and the city of Yakima, and that by about 4:45 p.m. crews had evacuated campers and shut down the 1200 Road system on the lake’s south side. FOX 13 said firefighting aircraft continued to drop on the blaze while firefighters focused on preventing the flames from reaching cabins and other structures.
The Naches Fire Department updates, which included photos from the scene, said firefighters finished structure protection work at the Bear Creek cabins and that at least one U.S. Forest Service engine from the Okanogan‑Wenatchee National Forest was on the ground assisting. The department confirmed that the pilot ejected and was transported to a nearby hospital, and it noted that crews would likely return Sunday to mop up hot spots and prevent the fire from flaring back up.
Officials, Investigators And Next Steps
FOX 13 Seattle also reported that officials had not yet confirmed the size of the burned area or what kind of military aircraft was involved, and that investigations to determine the cause and details were still pending. Local agencies closed roads and removed campers as a precaution while air and ground resources continued initial attack operations. Naches Fire said structure protection and personnel safety remained the top priorities as crews worked into the night.
What This Means For Visitors
Rimrock Lake sits inside the Okanogan‑Wenatchee National Forest, a popular recreation area where narrow forest roads and dense timber can make fire response especially tricky, according to the Okanogan‑Wenatchee National Forest. Forest officials and local fire districts routinely coordinate on wildland fire incidents in the Naches Ranger District, and early‑season fires can threaten cabins and campsites when conditions line up the wrong way. Visitors are urged to follow posted road closures and official instructions while firefighters finish containment work and mop‑up.
The Naches Fire Department asked people to stay clear of the area and to follow its social media feed for updates. Authorities did not report any additional injuries beyond the pilot. We will update this piece as agencies release further details.
