Arizona Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Granite Mountain Hotshots

19 firefighters killed in 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire

(Wildland Fire LLC, YouTube)

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings Tuesday to honor the elite firefighters from Prescott who died in 2013 while battling a wildfire northwest of Phoenix.

The 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were overcome after a change in wind direction pushed the flames back toward their position.

Ducey called it was one of the most tragic days in state history.

Read: Yarnell Hill Fire Report

“The brave Yarnell 19 had their whole lives ahead of them,” the governor said. “They had families, loved ones and friends who cared deeply about them. They knew the dangers of their job, but they did it anyway, with courage and an abiding sense of duty and commitment to our communities.”

Ducey offered his prayers to the families of the firefighters and said the crew’s sacrifices will be forever remembered and honored.

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