Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP / Getty Images
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed Saturday afternoon (June 13) near Rimrock Lake in Yakima County, Washington, sparking a wildfire and prompting evacuations. The incident occurred during a routine training mission around noon, approximately 55 miles southeast of Seattle. The pilot managed to eject safely and is being treated for minor injuries at a local medical facility.
The crash led to the ignition of the Pine Tree Fire, which has grown to two acres as of 5:04 p.m., according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Firefighting efforts are underway, with helicopters and ground crews from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest working to contain the blaze. The Naches Fire Department has evacuated nearby campgrounds and protected structures near Bear Creek.
The Marine Corps confirmed that the aircraft was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. The cause of the mishap is currently under investigation, and military agencies have been notified to assist with the incident.
Local law enforcement has closed roads around the crash site, and the area is expected to remain restricted as firefighting and investigation efforts continue. The Yakima County Sheriff's Office reported that the crash is not the first aviation incident in the area, recalling a similar event in 2024 involving a Navy EA-18G Growler.