A US military fighter plane crashed in a mountainous area of ​​central Washington state on Saturday, sparking a wildfire that mobilized emergency crews and forced the evacuation of nearby recreational areas.

The accident occurred near Rimrock Lake, a destination frequented by campers, hikers and fishermen within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Images captured from the lake shore showed a dense column of black smoke rising over the area after the impact.

Witnesses described seeing the pilot abandon the aircraft seconds before the crash.

A woman recording the moment said she initially thought she was watching a skydiver too close to the area before realizing it was an emergency ejection.

The pilot survived and was taken to hospital.

Early reports from the scene indicated that the plane was operating on low-altitude military training route VR-1355, used for flights through the state's mountainous terrain.

Emergency services later confirmed that the pilot survived after ejecting before impact.

The Naches Fire Department reported that the airman was taken to a hospital after escaping the crashed plane.

Military authorities later confirmed that the aircraft involved was an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to Marine Air Group 11 of the 3rd Marine Air Wing.

The accident started a fire and forced campers to evacuate

After the plane fell, the flames began to spread over the nearby vegetation, which activated a joint response of firefighters, law enforcement and federal resources.

The Naches Fire Department indicated that helicopters and at least one truck from the United States Forest Service participated in the effort to contain the fire.

Authorities closed the 1200 road system on the south side of the Rimrock area and coordinated precautionary evacuations of campers as operations continued.

Emergency crews focused much of their initial efforts on protecting structures located near the Bear Creek cabins.

According to local authorities, a tanker truck would remain on site to support extinguishing efforts.

Military investigates the cause of the accident

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office said military authorities were notified and sent personnel and resources to the area.

In a later statement, Marine Corps Air Base Miramar confirmed that the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

Authorities indicated that the investigation continues and that these processes could extend for several months.

The area where the accident occurred is located off Highway 12, approximately 10 miles east of White Pass, an area known for outdoor recreation and the proximity of the Pacific Crest Trail.