Forestry spokesman Art Morrison says 19 firefighters died fighting a fast-moving wildfire in central Arizona. He says they were caught by the fire Sunday afternoon.The blaze also prompted evacuations of at least 50 homes. Ref. USAToday
President Barack Obama today called the deaths of 19 firefighters in Arizona heartbreaking and said "Our thoughts and prayers go out" To their families.
Obama said his administration was ready to help in any way necessary in the investigation.
The firefighters were killed Sunday while fighting the Yarnell Hill fire northwest of Phoenix. It was the deadliest day for firefighters since the 9/11 attacks. And it is the deadliest wildland fire since 1933, according to the U.S. National Wildfire Coordinating Group. Twenty-five firefighters died then when a blaze burned in light chaparral near Griffith Park, California. Ref. CNN