Marine Corps F/A-18 Crashes Near Rimrock Lake, Sparks Wildfire

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet crashed into mountainous terrain near Rimrock Lake in central Washington on Saturday, igniting a wildfire that forced the evacuation of nearby campers. The aircraft, assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was on a routine training exercise when the mishap occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time.

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office said the single pilot ejected safely before impact. A deputy responded to the scene and helped transport the pilot to a hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries. No civilian injuries were reported.

Emergency Response and Investigation

The crash triggered a wildfire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, prompting an aerial firefighting response. The Naches Fire Department, working alongside the U.S. Forest Service, deployed helicopters and ground crews to suppress the blaze and evacuate the area. Local agencies attributed the fire to the crash; however, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said only that the aviation mishap remains under investigation and has not officially confirmed a causal link. The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine multirole fighter operated by both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Units based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego routinely conduct long-range training operations across the western United States.