Nineteen firefighters died yesterday in a fast-moving wildfire at Yarnell, near Prescott in Yavapai County.
More than 200 homes have been destroyed.
The fire was caused by a lightning strike on Friday and
spread to at least 2,000 acres by early Sunday. Triple-digit temperatures, low
humidity and heavy winds caused the fire to burn out of control. As of 3:00
this morning (Monday), the fire has tripled in size to 6,000 acres.
Eighteen of the firefighters were from the Prescott Granite
Mountain Hotshots. It’s unclear where the other victim was based.
The 19 deaths is the greatest loss of life for firefighters
in a wildfire since 1933. It is the deadliest day for US firefighters since
9/11.
About 200 firefighters are fighting the fire, which has also
forced the closure of parts of State Route 89. The fire is 0% contained.
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