A wildfire in Washington state thought to have been started by the crash of a Cessna 182 last week was likely due to other causes, officials said. The Associated Press reported this week that fire investigators are still searching for the cause but no longer believe the blaze was ignited by the crash, which occurred a few hours before the fire began. Both people aboard the Cessna died. On Tuesday, the Okanogan County coroner identified them as Albert Losvar, 88, of Loomis, and Brian Downing, 62, of Surrey, British Columbia, the AP reported.
The crash did ignite a small fire near Oroville, Washington, where the Cessna had departed and headed towards Spokane, according to the AP report. Crews called to the larger wildfire found the wreckage with a body inside, and the second was found the following day. The NTSB is investigating. The wildfire, which threatened more than 600 homes and forced about 400 people to evacuate, was one of multiple blazes reported in the region, some due to lightning strikes.
