Deputies with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office located a fiery crash site after a helicopter crashed near Olympia Thursday morning.

According to investigators, the military lost contact with a helicopter before it crashed near the Summit Lake area.

According to Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders, deputies were unable to continue rescue efforts as the scene has an active fire and began overheating their footwear.

King County’s Guardian 1 helicopter has been issued for a rescue operation. Officials with Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) have joined the investigation, providing extra resources. JBLM confirmed with KIRO 7 that one of their helicopters crashed at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday in a rural area near the base.

“At this time, the incident is still unfolding and we do not

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