Pilot survives helicopter crash at Walla Walla wildfire

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (AP) — A helicopter pilot fighting a wildfire in eastern Washington walked away from a crash landing Monday. Heather Lee of Walla Walla County Emergency Management told the Union-Bulletin (http://is.gd/e5mPTN ) the helicopter suffered a mechanical failure. Fire officials say the brush fire 9 miles east of Walla Walla near Blue Creek and Klicker Mountain has burned more than 2 square miles and destroyed at least one home since started just after noon Monday. About 50 homes in the area were briefly evacuated Monday afternoon. The cause of the fire is under investigation.