Posted on 06/30/2013 7:45:43 PM PDT by kristinn
Prescott Fire Department confirmed 19 firefighters have died while battling the Yarnell Hill fire on Sunday night. They're part of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hot Shots.
The wildfire was likely caused by a lightning strike Saturday night.
The Yarnell Hill fire, about 35 miles southwest of Prescott, has burned about 1,300 acres and forced the evacuation of 50 homes.
The fire started Friday and has not yet burned down any structures, but Sunday night firefighters pushed the blaze back away from communities, hoping to keep the blaze from overtaking any homes.
A growing fire in Yarnell forced about 600 residents from their homes.
(Excerpt) Read more at myfoxphoenix.com ...
Here's hoping the confirmation is a mistake, but there was a report earlier of twenty missing firefighters, with only one being found.
Prayers.
19? Sad...sad...sad.
Awful. Prayers for them and their families.
Prayers.
What an awful tragedy.
The POS is over taking his world vacation while Arizona burns and 19 firefighter perish. Grrrrrrr
Oh Dear God...
Prayers ...
I just saw this as breaking news on twitter I Could not believe it..can someone explain to me how so many firefighters can die in one time Ive never heard such a thing..such a horrible tragedy God bless these brave firefighters
yorkie, did you SEE this? How horrible!!
If I was to guess I'd say probably heavy winds shifted directions. Maybe the fire jumped a ridge and cut them off.
Damn thats horrible!! This is the largest loss of firefighter life since 9/11
The Prescott Fire Department lost nearly its entire crew today - the Granite Mountain Hotshots - with 18 firefighters dying and one surviving.
Prescott Fire spokesman Wade Ward told The Daily Courier the crew was battling the Yarnell fire, which has resulted in evacuations as it has grown to an estimated 1,300 acres in size.
SNIP
Terrible. I don’t think I’ve heard of that many dying at once.
Good news - at least according to this update... it says 22 firemen injured with 8 expected to be hospitalized. Praise the Lord!
Other Phoenix tv websites are reporting 18 firefighters dead.
Prescott Fire has already confirmed that 18 firefighters have died..perhaps that report that you linked was early on..such a horrible horrible tragedy
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