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Firefighters Die Battling Arizona Wildfire
BBC NEWS, US & CANADA
July 1, 2013: At least 19 US firefighters have been killed battling a wildfire in central Arizona, local officials say. They died while fighting the blaze threatening the town of Yarnell, about 80 miles (130km) northwest of Phoenix.
The fire was started by lightning on Friday and spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds. At least 200 homes were burned.
It is the highest death toll for firefighters in a single incident since 9/11. Arizona Senator John McCain said the families of the dead firefighters were in the thoughts and prayers of all Americans. "This devastating loss is a reminder of the grave risks our firefighters take every day on our behalf in Arizona and in communities across this nation. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten," he said in a statement.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said it could take "days or longer" to reveal how the deaths occurred. "This is as dark a day as I can remember," she said.
'Hotshot' unit
"It has been confirmed that 19 Wildland firefighters have lost their lives on the Yarnell Hill fire Arizona," the US Wildland Fire Aviation said in a statement.
The firefighters were part of a specially trained "hotshot" unit who had battled other wildfires in New Mexico and Arizona in recent weeks, officials say. They were forced to deploy emergency tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames after becoming trapped and "something drastic" happened, said Dan Fraijo, fire chief in the nearby city of Prescott.
The tragedy is the worst in a wildfire since 1933, when at least 25 firemen died battling a fire in Griffith Park, Los Angeles.
Homes destroyed
Some 200 firefighters are still battling the fast-moving wildfire, which has grown to 1,000 acres. Additional reinforcements have been called in. The blaze has forced the evacuation of local residents.
An estimated 200 homes were destroyed in Yarnell, the Associated Press reported, almost half the properties in the town.
