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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 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. | |
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. |