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| Arizona wildfire near Yarnell kills 19 firefighters | Arizona wildfire near Yarnell kills 19 firefighters |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 19 US firefighters have been killed battling a wildfire in central Arizona, local officials say. | 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) north-west of Phoenix. | They died while fighting the blaze threatening the town of Yarnell, about 80 miles (130km) north-west of Phoenix. |
| The fire was started by lightning on Friday and has spread rapidly to 2,000 acres (800 ha) amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds. | The fire was started by lightning on Friday and has spread rapidly to 2,000 acres (800 ha) amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds. |
| Arizona and other parts of the western US - including California - had near-record temperatures over the weekend. | Arizona and other parts of the western US - including California - had near-record temperatures over the weekend. |
| It is the highest death toll for firefighters in a single incident since 9/11. | It is the highest death toll for firefighters in a single incident since 9/11. |
| "We are heartbroken about what happened," US President Barack Obama said in a press conference in Tanzania on Monday. Earlier he called the deceased firefighters heroes. | "We are heartbroken about what happened," US President Barack Obama said in a press conference in Tanzania on Monday. Earlier he called the deceased firefighters heroes. |
| Arizona Senator John McCain said the families of the dead firefighters were in the thoughts and prayers of all Americans. | 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. | "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. |
| 'Hotshots' | |
| Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said it could take "days or longer" to reveal how the deaths occurred. | 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. | "This is as dark a day as I can remember," she said. |
| The Prescott, Arizona, fire department has confirmed to the BBC that 19 of its firefighters were killed in the blaze. | |
| The dead firefighters have been identified as members of an elite unit called the Granite Mountain Hotshots. | |
| The crew 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 Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo. | |
| "One of the last fail-safe methods a firefighter can do is literally to dig as much as they can down and cover themselves with a protective fire-resistant material, with the hope that the fire will burn over the top of them and they can survive it," he said. | "One of the last fail-safe methods a firefighter can do is literally to dig as much as they can down and cover themselves with a protective fire-resistant material, with the hope that the fire will burn over the top of them and they can survive it," he said. |
| "Under certain conditions there's usually only sometimes a 50% chance that they survive. It's an extreme measure that's taken under the absolute worst conditions." | "Under certain conditions there's usually only sometimes a 50% chance that they survive. It's an extreme measure that's taken under the absolute worst conditions." |
| Dwight Devlin from the Arizona Sheriff's Office told the BBC that the firefighters were carrying fire blankets but they were ineffective in this case. | Dwight Devlin from the Arizona Sheriff's Office told the BBC that the firefighters were carrying fire blankets but they were ineffective in this case. |
| "Some were actually found with those blankets over them but unfortunately it appears the flames and the heat were too much," he said. | "Some were actually found with those blankets over them but unfortunately it appears the flames and the heat were too much," he said. |
| Mr Devlin added that they were on their way on foot to an area where they had been directed to clear brush to prevent the spread of the fire. | Mr Devlin added that they were on their way on foot to an area where they had been directed to clear brush to prevent the spread of the fire. |
| The tragedy is the worst in a wildfire since 1933, when at least 25 firemen died battling a fire in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. | 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 | Homes destroyed |
| Some 250 firefighters are still battling the fast-moving wildfire. In total, 18 specialist hotshot crews are being deployed. | |
| The blaze has forced the evacuation of local residents. | The blaze has forced the evacuation of local residents. |
| An estimated 200 homes were destroyed in Yarnell, the Associated Press reported, about half the properties in the town. | An estimated 200 homes were destroyed in Yarnell, the Associated Press reported, about half the properties in the town. |
| In recent days, dozens of people across western US states have been treated for exhaustion and dehydration, as the heat wave continues. | In recent days, dozens of people across western US states have been treated for exhaustion and dehydration, as the heat wave continues. |
| Temperatures in some areas were expected to reach 54C (130F), close to the world's all-time high recorded 100 years ago in California's Death Valley. | Temperatures in some areas were expected to reach 54C (130F), close to the world's all-time high recorded 100 years ago in California's Death Valley. |
| How wildfires spread | |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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