19 firefighters confirmed dead fighting Arizona blaze

[jobberone]

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  June 30, 2013: Flames top a ridge as the Yarnell Hill Fire moves towards Peeples Valley, Arizona. (AP/The Arizona Republic)

Local fire officials have confirmed that 19 firefighters have died while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in central Arizona.

The Prescott Fire Department confirmed to MyFoxPhoenix

that 18 firefighters, all part of a crew called the Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots, had passed away Sunday evening. An official with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office later confirmed to Fox News that the death toll had risen to 19.

Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo said at a news conference late Sunday that 22 firefighters were injured, and 8 required hospitalization. He described the fire, which started after a lightning strike Friday, as a fast-moving blaze fueled by hot, dry conditions. Temperatures reached into the triple digits across the state Sunday, with a similar forecast for the following day.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/01/19-firefighters-killed-battling-arizona-blaze/#ixzz2XmJ0YTHH

Please, take a moment of silence for these brave souls and their family and friends.

 

[Sarge]

That is a shame. They are true heroes in my book.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I have a very good Friend who works out of Prescott for this same outfit. He sets up communications for all of these guys and basically coordinates ground and air between the various firefighting efforts. Anyhow, was not at all sure he was not involved in all of this. Heard from him about 3 this morning and he said he was fine but just makes you think how dangerous those kinds of things really are.

Thank God but you feel terrible for all of those families who are grieving today.