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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. At least 200 homes were burned. | |
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. | |
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. | |
'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. | "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. | 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, Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo said. | They were forced to deploy emergency tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames after becoming trapped and "something drastic" happened, Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo 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. | "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." |
Two other members of the elite unit who suffered severe burns have been flown to a burn treatment centre in Phoenix. | Two other members of the elite unit who suffered severe burns have been flown to a burn treatment centre in Phoenix. |
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. | 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. | 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. | |
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. |