An intense wildfire in central Arizona claimed the lives of 19 firefighters, the largest number of firefighter deaths at one time since 9/11.
The group was part of an elite squad who were assigned to confront wildfires up close to set barriers and prevent the destructive spread. But on Sunday, the fire in Yarnell Hill proved too difficult to beat.
“Our entire crew was lost,” Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo told reporters Sunday night. “We just lost 19 of some of the finest people you’ll ever meet. Right now, we’re in crisis.”
The tragedy killed about 20 percent of the Prescott Fire Department. Fraijo said one member of the team was not with the other crew members and survived.
According to CNN, this is also the deadliest wildland fire since 1933, when 25 firefighters died in a blaze burned in light chaparral near Griffith Park, California.
The Yarnall Hill Fire is believed to have been sparked by lightening on Friday. And by Sunday night, it had destroyed 6,000 acres and 100 structures.
No civilian injuries were reported.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Arizona at this time.
SOURCE: CNN
