A sudden gale-force wind turned the forest fire into a deadly wall of flames, killing all 19 members of the elite team. The deaths of the young men brought an outpouring of tributes from every direction.
19 Firefighters Die Battling Arizona Wildfire
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A photo of Wade Parker, one of 19 firefighters who died battling a fast-moving wildfire, is displayed at a makeshift memorial in Prescott, Arizone, July 1, 2013.
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An aerial view of a section of the town of Yarnell, Arizona destroyed by a wildfire that ripped throught the town, July 1, 2013.
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The Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew is shown in this undated handout photo provided by the City of Prescott, Arizona, July 1, 2013.
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Firefighters embrace as a group during a memorial service in Prescott, Arizona, July 1, 2013.