On July 7, when the Ashcroft Reserve fire began sweeping northward, Wildfire BC air crews were brought in to try to slow or limit the fire damage.
Among the equipment brought in were helicopters that could scoop water from nearby lakes and rivers, then fly over threatened areas and drop their load. While the helicopters used the Thompson River as a convenient source, one helicopter pilot obviously thought that the Ashcroft pool was a handy source.
Thankfully, the pool had been cleared and closed by the time the pilot decided to use it. The pool was back in operation and open to the public — but not to helicopters — on July 11.