Co-pilot, 8 firefighters feared dead in N. California

WEAVERVILLE, California (CNN) - Eight firefighters and the co-pilot of a helicopter that was shuttling them among wilderness blazes were feared dead in a crash in northern California, and federal aviation officials were to arrive at the accident site Thursday, authorities said.

Three firefighters and the pilot were hospitalized with serious burns after the Sikorsky S-61 helicopter crashed in flames Tuesday night. It had picked up the firefighters in a remote wilderness area 35 miles west of Redding, California, in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Firefighters waiting to be picked up witnessed the crash and rushed to try to help those on board.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, in Boise, Idaho, responded to the crash, saying, "This country owes a great debt to the firefighters and everybody else who is out there protecting us day in and day out. And we hope that this season, which looks to be a tough season, will not cost us any more brave lives."