SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -Nine people are missing and feared dead in the crash of a helicopter that was carrying firefighters over a Northern California forest, the officials said Wednesday.

The helicopter was carrying 11 firefighters and two crew members when it went down Tuesday night in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, said Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Four people were taken to hospitals with severe burns, including two in critical condition, according to the U.S. Forest Service.