1 Dead In California Fire, As Lightning-Strike Fires Push Resources To Limit
A pilot was killed after he crashed while battling a blaze in Fresno County. Officials say "a historic lightning siege" has caused more than 367 new fires throughout California.
The onslaught of fires raging across California has turned deadly, claiming the first casualty as thousands of firefighting personnel battle to contain 23 major complex blazes across the state.
A helicopter pilot who was battling one of the state's smaller fires in central California has died when the craft crashed, according to Cal Fire officials.
"This morning a Call When Needed helicopter crashed while fighting a wildfire in Western Fresno County," the agency said.
The Bell UH-IH helicopter was on a water dropping mission on the Hills Fire at the time of the accident.
"The pilot
