Calif. Fish and Game helicopter goes down in Sierra National Forest; at least 1 dead

Fish and Game chopper crashes in Sierra forest

MADERA, Calif. — Authorities say a California Fish and Game helicopter has crashed in Sierra National Forest, with at least one person dead.

Madera County sheriff’s spokeswoman Erica Stuart says the crash occurred Tuesday south of Redinger Lake.

She says it’s not immediately clear how many people were on board or what caused the aircraft to go down.

Stuart says the crash sparked a fire that has made the site inaccessible, but light winds and moisture have slowed the fire’s movement.