The helicopters were dispatched to fight a fire that had erupted in brush in Cabazon, a town some 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, on Sunday evening when they collided in mid-air, Cal Fire Southern Region chief David Fulcher told reporters.
One helicopter was able to land safely nearby.
"Unfortunately, the second helicopter crashed, and tragically all three members perished, which included one Cal Fire Division chief, one Cal Fire fire captain and one contract client pilot," Fulcher said.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the Cabazon accident, according to media reports.
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