Firefighters die battling Arizona wildfire

CALIFORNIA. July 1. KAZINFORM At least 19 US firefighters have been killed battling a wildfire in central Arizona, local officials say. They died while fighting the blaze threatening the town of Yarnell, about 80 miles (130km) north-west of Phoenix. The fire started on Friday but later spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and windy conditions.

Arizona and other parts of the western United States - including California - have recorded near-record temperatures over the weekend.

"It has been confirmed that 19 wildland firefighters have lost their lives on the Yarnell Hill fire Arizona," the US Wildland Fire Aviation said in a statement, according to Reuters.

The agency said it was asking "for prayers for the families and friends of these brave men and women".

Some 200 firefighters are battling the fast-moving wildfire and about 50 houses have reportedly been evacuated.

Source: BBC NEWS