18 firefighters lost in Arizona wildfire

[cartman]

This really sucks. Eighteen firefighters have been confirmed dead while fighting a wildfire near Prescott.

18 firefighters working Yarnell Hill fire confirmed dead (http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/22726613/2013/06/30/yarnell-hill-wildfire-grows-to-almost-1000-acres)

[molson]

Worst single-day firefighter loss since 9/11

[hawk4669]

Feeling the loss here at my station tonight. Don't know any of the fallen....but our fire family is hurting tonight. Such a tragedy.

Hawk4669

[JonInMiddleGA]

:(

My dad was a volunteer for more than two decades, my brother-in-law is an active firefighter and has traveled to fight fires of this sort. I've got at least three classmates who are also currently active, as well as my niece who is a volunteer.

To call this stunning is an understatement. Thoughts & prayers with those who were lost and all those touched by this tragedy.

[cartman]

The total has been upped to 19. Sounds like the fire switched directions rapidly, and they didn't have much time to react. Some were found in their portable fire shelters, which are basically a reflective material and used as a last resort, and others looked like they were in the process of getting the shelters out.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/arizona/articles/20130630crews-fighting-small-fires-around-Arizona.html

[Scoobz0202]

Terrible.

edit: removed a picture of what I think is the crew but I'd rather not post it until I read FOR SURE that it was that crew

[MrBug708]

We are/were supposed to drive through Yarnell on Tuesday. Crazy stuff

[Lathum]

Horrible. Tragic end to brave souls who put their lives on the line for us. RIP.

[Eaglesfan27]

So very tragic. My prayers go out to their families.

[BYU 14]

So tragic and I didn't even turn on the TV yesterday so totally missed it. It is so dangerous in these situations and the heat wave we have been having only adds to that. Thoughts and prayers to the families of these brave souls.

[Scoobz0202]

Pic of the crew

http://i.imgur.com/Usilmul.jpg

[molson]

It's so amazing what these guys do. It's not just fighting the fires. They're hiking miles and miles in the wilderness with chainsaws and shit and changing the landscape to try to re-direct fires into directions that threaten fewer homes and people. It has to be the most physical demanding job on the planet.

[Arles]

It's a tragedy. A lot of families here in Phoenix have been impacted on many levels by this fire - this just took it to another level. Just a sad day for the state.