Photo: U.S. Navy / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet crashed Saturday afternoon (June 13) in Yakima County, Washington, sparking a wildfire. The crash occurred near Rimrock Lake, about 55 miles southeast of Seattle, during a routine training mission. The pilot managed to eject safely and is being treated for minor injuries at a local medical facility.
The incident ignited the Pine Tree Fire, which has spread to two acres as of 5:04 p.m. Firefighting efforts are ongoing, 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 crash is 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 noted that this is not the first aviation incident in the area, recalling a similar event in 2024 involving a Navy EA-18G Growler.