This is the terrifying moment a San Diego-based military aircraft crashed into a mountainside near Mt Rainier — sparking a wildfire.
The jet, an F/A-18 Hornet, was heard making a loud “popping sound” before it smashed into Rimrock Lake in Washington state on Saturday.
The incident, which occurred within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, prompted road closures, campground evacuations and a huge fire response.
According to officials at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, the pilot safely ejected before the crash, and no injuries were reported.
Tina Liniger, who witnessed the crash, told CBS 8: “A couple of jets had already buzzed over the lake. We heard another one coming, but it made popping sounds.
“We thought it was just air noise from the jet. When we walked down to the lakefront, we could see the smoke.”
Marissa Fernandez was watching the aircraft with her family when she noticed one of the jets began emitting smoke while still in flight.
“All of a sudden the jet started smoking, went down and hit the trees! We did see the pilot eject and were hoping he landed safely,” she said.
As of Saturday evening, the fire had grown to 1.5 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. No containment estimate has been released.
The blaze is burning near Forest Road 1241 and is being battled by helicopters and crews from the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Officials have closed roads south of Rimrock Lake off Forest Road 1200 for public safety.
A fire department spokesperson said crews will remain at the scene through the afternoon and are expected to return Sunday morning to assist with mop-up efforts.
The Yakima County Sheriff’s Office said military authorities have been notified and are deploying personnel and resources to the area. Officials said additional details will be released as they become available.
Rimrock Lake, a 2,546-acre reservoir, is located along Highway 12 about 10 miles east of White Pass in Washington.
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