An Arizona forestry official says 19 firefighters have died battling a fast-moving wildfire.

Forestry spokesman Art Morrison says the firefighters were caught by the fire Sunday afternoon near the central Arizona town of Yarnell. He says they were forced to deploy their fire shelters.

Earlier Sunday, the wildfire prompted evacuations of 50 homes in several communities about 85 miles northwest of Phoenix. Later Sunday afternoon, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office expanded the evacuations to include more residents in the town of Yarnell.

The fire is believed to have been started by lightning.

A Facebook page in memory of the Arizona firefighters was created Sunday night where people are already leaving their condolences and support.

May the souls of these firefighters rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.

Such a tragic incident...

DICKtator: Lightning? Sango(?) travelled without visa? or perhaps Thor
May the souls of the departed R.I.P.
Gallant men!!!

GooseBaba: If 19 fire fighters die for naija all at once . Our forefathers will be insulted. Then the inferior monkeys would link corruption and thinz to it. Lastly they would ask for GEJ head..without an RIP..my inferior brethren I hail ohh..!

PS: RIP to the brave risk taker..

cold: I'm still wondering how 19 men of the elite 'hotshot' squad got engulfed by the conflagration. Not 1,2 or 3 but 19! Someone must have been careless,an egregious error of judgment

texazzpete:

Don't be daft. Wildfires in that part of the world can move at up to 11km/hr unaided. When you factor in reported wind speeds of 45mph pushing embers, sparks and flames...Try outrunning that in a forest when the wind (and hence fire) suddenly changes direction.

texazzpete:

Don't be daft. Wildfires in that part of the world can move at up to 11km/hr unaided. When you factor in reported wind speeds of 45mph pushing embers, sparks and flames...Try outrunning that in a forest when the wind (and hence fire) suddenly changes direction.