Deadly helicopter crash in California

Nine people, mostly firefighters, are missing and presumed dead after the helicopter ferrying them to a northern California wildfire crashed and burned.

Fire officials say the U-S Forestry Service helicopter, with a two-person crew and 11 firefighters aboard, crashed under unknown circumstances about 35 miles northwest of Redding in remote terrain.

Four people aboard the aircraft were critically burned in the crash.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

SOUNDBITE: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger saying (English):

"This is a tragic day for firefighters everywhere. And the people of California are profoundly aware of the tremendous sacrifices that these heroes and their families make day in and day out to keep us safe."

The firefighters had been working the more than 27-square-mile fire that's been burning in California's Shasta-Trinity National Forest for the past few weeks.