Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon has weathered a relatively calm wildfire season thus far.

But tragedy struck in northern California Tuesday.

Nine firefighters died in the crash of an Oregon-based helicopter, fighting the Buckhorn wildfire near Redding. One of the dead was the co-pilot.

Four others are in the hospital, recovering from serious burns.

A number of the dead and injured have ties to Oregon.

The copilot, and the hospitalized pilot, both worked for Carson Helicopters, in Grants Pass.

Bob Madden is with the company, which sends helicopters and pilots to fight fires all over the country.

Madden says it's always difficult to tell a family about news like this.

Bob Madden: “I'm an old guy and have been, unfortunately, in this business for many, many years. And I've been through a few crashes. And you just have to deal with it as it comes along, and make the best of it.”

The Forest Service says the other three injured firefighters worked for Grayback Forestry of Merlin, Oregon, as did the nine who died.

Officials say the helicopter crashed shuttling firefighters back-and-forth from the fire.

Investigators say they don't know yet why the crash happened.

Madden says the aircraft was upgraded three years ago. And from everything he's heard it was being flown properly.