In pictures: Arizona wildfire
- Published
At least 19 US firefighters have died in a wildfire raging in and around the town of Yarnell, about 80 miles (130km) north-west of Phoenix. The fire was started by lightning on Friday and spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and strong winds.
The men were part of an elite unit especially trained for extreme fire situations, officials said.
The firefighters were forced to deploy tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames after becoming trapped. "It's an extreme measure that's taken under the absolute worst conditions," Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo said.
It is the highest death toll for firefighters in a single incident since 9/11.
At least 200 homes have been destroyed in the area. Most of the town's 700 people have been evacuated, with many seeking shelter in a local community college.
Dry grass fed the fast-moving blaze, which has so far burnt more than 1,000 acres (405 ha).
Additional reinforcements have been called in to help the 200 firefighters still battling the wildfire.
Arizona and other parts of the western United States - including California - have suffered extremely high temperatures over the weekend. The heatwave followed one of the driest winters on record.