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Deadly Arizona fire nearly half-contained, say officials Deadly Arizona fire nearly half-contained, say officials
(about 4 hours later)
Firefighters have managed to contain 45% of a blaze in central Arizona that killed 19 of their colleagues, the authorities say. Nearly 600 firefighters are continuing to tame a blaze in central Arizona that killed 19 of their colleagues.
Some 114 buildings have been damaged or razed by the fire, which has burned 13 sq miles (33 sq km). The fire was 45% contained by Wednesday night, up from 8% earlier in the day, said the authorities.
Officials say they cannot rule out the possibility some residents who refused to evacuate also perished in the blaze. Officials say they cannot rule out the possibility some residents who refused to evacuate also perished in the blaze, which has razed 13 sq miles (33 sq km).
The deadliest US wildfire in 80 years, it was ignited by lightning in forest around the town of Yarnell.The deadliest US wildfire in 80 years, it was ignited by lightning in forest around the town of Yarnell.
On Wednesday, nearly 600 firefighters were fighting the blaze, which has been fuelled by 40mph winds and dry conditions. At least 129 homes have been destroyed by the blaze, which was fuelled by 40mph winds and dry conditions.
More bodies? In the town of Prescott, the nearby hometown of the fallen squad, families of the dead men and their colleagues from across the state are expected to attend an Independence Day fireworks display.
The Southwest Incident Command Team tweeted that nearly half of the fire was contained. Fire officials say they will take precautions to ensure the pyrotechnics do not spark another blaze in the tinderbox conditions.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has ordered state flags to be flown at half-mast for 19 days to honour each firefighter lost.Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has ordered state flags to be flown at half-mast for 19 days to honour each firefighter lost.
Only one member of the unit survived, a lookout on higher ground who was about a mile away from the others.Only one member of the unit survived, a lookout on higher ground who was about a mile away from the others.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated, but some refused to leave. Authorities fear finding more bodies during the clearing-up operation.Hundreds of residents were evacuated, but some refused to leave. Authorities fear finding more bodies during the clearing-up operation.
"This fire moved approximately four miles in 20 minutes," Yavapai County Sheriff Chief Deputy John Russell told Reuters news agency."This fire moved approximately four miles in 20 minutes," Yavapai County Sheriff Chief Deputy John Russell told Reuters news agency.
"We had already started evacuating everyone... and we experienced people who were not going to leave.""We had already started evacuating everyone... and we experienced people who were not going to leave."
Fire investigators are trying to determine how the members of the elite Granite Mountain Hotshots became trapped by the flames. Investigators are trying to determine how the members of the elite Granite Mountain Hotshots became trapped by the flames.
The inquiry team, which includes forest managers and safety experts, is expected to release a preliminary report within days.The inquiry team, which includes forest managers and safety experts, is expected to release a preliminary report within days.
Sunday's tragedy marked the greatest loss of life from a US wildland blaze since at least 25 men died in 1933 battling the Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles.Sunday's tragedy marked the greatest loss of life from a US wildland blaze since at least 25 men died in 1933 battling the Griffith Park fire in Los Angeles.
How wildfires spreadHow wildfires spread