A California Fire Department air tanker flying over a wildfire in North California crashed "under unknown circumstances" on Tuesday while aiding firefighters in vanquishing the fire that scorched the lands near Yosemite National Park.

According to Yosemite spokesperson Scott Gediman the aircraft went down at around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday while fighting a wildfire about a mile from the park's entrance and is yet to be accessed due to difficult terrain.

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Set to battle the wildfire known as the 'Dog Rock Fire,' the plane crashed on rugged terrain making it difficult for rescuers to gain access to it, said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) spokesperson Janet Upton.

The aircraft, identified as an S-2T tanker, had twin turbine engines and could carry about 1,200 gallons of fire retardant while being flown by a single pilot.

About 60 residences were evacuated after the Dog Rock Fire erupted on about 130 acres of vegetation near the park's entrance between the Yosemite View Lodge and the Yosemite Arch Rock Entrance, also prompting Highway 140 to be closed.

According to the Associated Press, CHP Sgt. Chris Michael witnessed the crash while he was aiding in the closure of the road to Yosemite during the onset of the fire.

Reportedly, California Highway Patrol spokesperson Steven Lewis was announcing how people in the vicinity are being evacuated when Michael reported about the crash describing the bomber as colliding into the canyon wall and exploding "in flames."

Lewis said the canyon wall described in Michael's report is a wall vertically aligned above the Merced River and Highway 140.

Debris from the crash was reportedly seen on the roads as well, though, so far, there had been no report of injuries from the rain of debris.

According to reports, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will be conducting investigations upon their arrival early Wednesday. 

Tagscalifornia, CalFire, wildfire, air tanker, crash, fire, dog rock fire