19 Firefighters Die In Arizona Fire

A fast-moving brush fire near Yarnell, AZ yesterday tragically claimed the lives of 19 firefighters, the greatest loss of life among firefighters since 9/11.  The firefighters were fighting the fire in extremely hot and dry conditions.  The fire was believed caused by lightning, which set the dry tinder on fire, burning some 200 structures.  All of the fatalities were from the same 20-man team of elite firefighters based in Prescott, AZ.  President Obama issued a statement of condolence from his trip in Africa, calling the fallen firefighters "heroes."

This is on top of a record-breaking heat wave in the Southwest, which saw temperatures in Phoenix reach a record 119 degrees, bringing dangerous life-threatening conditions and greater danger of wildfires.

(photo:  D. Kadlubowski, Arizona Republic)