Firefighters respond to F-16 crash in California

Firefighters respond to F-16 crash in California
A firefighter gathers hose at the so-called Blue Cut Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California, U.S. August 18, 2016.
Reuters

Firefighters in San Bernardino County responded on Wednesday to reports of an F-16 fighter jet crash in China Lake, California.

The San Bernardino County Fire Department said it was assisting local emergency teams with fire suppression after the aircraft went down in a dry lake bed near Trona.

The sole pilot was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries before being taken to a nearby hospital.

“There is no threat to surrounding vegetation from the fire,” the department said on U.S. social media platform X, adding that the public should avoid the area but that “there is no threat to the community.”

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the air demonstration squadron, confirmed the pilot had safely ejected from an F-16C at around 10:45 a.m. (1845 GMT).

The crash occurred during a training mission in controlled airspace. “The pilot is in stable condition and receiving follow-on care,” the Thunderbirds said.

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and China Lake Emergency Management took command of the scene.

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