Wildfires

Wildfires - USA

Arizona:

20 firefighters were involved in a "serious incident" while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in a central Arizona community. One of the firefighters has been located, while 19 died in the fires.

Earlier on Sunday, the fast-moving fire prompted evacuations of 50 homes in the Buckhorn, Model Creek and Double A Bar Ranch areas about 137km northwest of Phoenix. In the afternoon, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office expanded the evacuations to include residents in the Peeples Valley area and in the town of Yarnell. The wildfire also forced the closure of parts of state Route 89.

The Yarnell Hill Fire now covers nearly 809 hectares. The fire started on Friday, but picked up momentum on Sunday as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. About 200 firefighters are working at the fire, but an additional 130 firefighters and more water- and retardant-dropping helicopters and aircraft are on their way.

Utah:

Crews throughout Utah are battling four wildfires that have started this weekend in Utah — at least three lightning caused — that have burned close to 3,000 acres.

Idaho:

Crews in south-central Idaho are working to contain a 5-square-mile lightning-caused wildfire burning several miles northwest of Hollister.