Crews fight wildfire caused by helicopter crash in Colville forest

ORIENT, Wash. – A wildfire that started after a logging helicopter crashed in northeast Washington has held at about 70 acres.

Forest Service spokesman Franklin Pemberton said the Hungry Hill Fire in Colville National Forest was 10 percent contained Saturday afternoon.

No injuries have been reported.

Warm, dry weather coupled with steep terrain has slowed efforts to put the fire out.

It started Thursday when a helicopter pilot crashed just after lifting off with a load of logs. Pemberton said she was taken to a hospital and was in good condition.

Pemberton said the crash happened at a site where trees have been cut and are on the ground. As they burn, they sometimes begin to roll, which hampers the firefighting efforts.

Orient is about 90 miles north of Spokane.