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Firefighters die battling Arizona wildfire Firefighters die battling Arizona wildfire
(35 minutes 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 spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds.The fire was started by lightning on Friday and spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds.
Arizona and other parts of the western United States - including California - have recorded near-record temperatures over the weekend.Arizona and other parts of the western United States - including California - have recorded near-record temperatures over the weekend.
'Hotshot' unit'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, according to Reuters news agency."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, according to Reuters news agency.
The agency said it was asking "for prayers for the families and friends of these brave men and women".The agency said it was asking "for prayers for the families and friends of these brave men and women".
The firelighters were part of a specially trained "hotshot" unit, officials say. The firefighters were part of a specially trained "hotshot" unit, officials say.
They were forced to deploy their tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames after becoming trapped, state forestry spokesman Art Morrison told the Associated Press. news agency. They were forced to deploy their tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames after becoming trapped, state forestry spokesman Art Morrison told the Associated Press news agency.
Some 200 firefighters are still battling the fast-moving wildfire, and more are heading to the area.Some 200 firefighters are still battling the fast-moving wildfire, and more are heading to the area.
About 50 homes in and around Yarnell have been evacuated to a nearby community college, local journalist Andy Greenberg told the BBC.About 50 homes in and around Yarnell have been evacuated to a nearby community college, local journalist Andy Greenberg told the BBC.
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.