This is just awful: (**Update: The Associated Press is now confirming it was 19 firefighters that died)
The Prescott Courier reports 18 firefighters have been killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire in the Town of Yarnell.
The fast-moving fire has burned 250 structures in the Town of Yarnell and grown to 2,000 acres, command center officials said Sunday night.
Earlier, 19 firefighters battling the blaze in Yavapai County had not been heard from as the wildfire headed into the Town of Yarnell, fire officials said.
Around 6 p.m., authorities said they were unable to establish communications with them, although they had been seen from a helicopter.
Wickenburg Community Hospital is preparing to receive at least eight firefighters suffering injuries, said hospital spokeswoman Roxie Glovers. The extent of their injuries was not known.
Authorities evacuated the Town of Yarnell and Peeples Valley as the wildfire came closer to homes, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said.
I truly hope this story has a better ending. Firefighters are truly some of the bravest people I’ve known.