YARNELL, Ariz. (AP) — A wildfire that killed 19 firefighters in Arizona also destroyed an estimated 200 homes in a central Arizona community.

Dry grass near the communities of Yarnell and Glen Isla fed the fast-moving blaze, which was whipped up by wind and raced through the homes.

Nineteen firefighters died fighting the blaze. A state forestry spokesman says the members of an elite fire crew were forced to deploy fire shelters to shield them from the flames when they were caught near the central Arizona town of Yarnell Sunday. The fire started Friday and spread to 2,000 acres on Sunday.
Most people had evacuated from the town of 700, and no injuries or other deaths were reported.

The Red Cross has opened two shelters in the area — at Yavapai College in Prescott and at the Wickenburg High School gym.

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