One person killed in Conroe helicopter crash

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - White smoke could be seen burning from portions of Sam Houston National Forest Wednesday. 

It was all part of a controlled burn operation by the U.S. Forest Service, a federal agency that manages and protects hundreds of forests around the country. 

But just after 2 p.m., a helicopter monitoring the burn crashed into a thick wooded area on Bethel Road near FM 149. 

"We had a 2009 Euro Copter AS 350 crash into the national forest while conducting a controlled burn for the us forestry service," said Sergeant Erik Burse with Texas DPS.

On board the chopper were three people, a pilot and two passengers.

"There is one deceased on scene and there have been two that have been transported to Conroe ER in stable condition," said Burse. "The pilot is one that is in Conroe, so he is alive. It was a passenger that was deceased. He is a firefighter with the U.S. Forestry Service."

Multiple agencies, including DPS air crews, the Montgomery County Fire Department, the NTSB, and the FAA are all helping the Forest Service in this ongoing investigation.

The case remains under investigation.