Page 47 - Fire Line News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

In and get handle. the fire fighting planes will be able to drop 3,000 gallons or fire retardant in less than five seconds. 19 firefighters who died in arizona were part of this elite group. they were known as hot shots. some compare them to special op forces or in the navy seals. we see what it's like to be one of the best. >> reporter: when hot shots get the call they head to the center of a blazing wildfire, an inferno that often times only they can stop. hot shots go where equipment can't. these elite fire fighting teams are specially trained to use chain saws to clear brush and cut a fire...

>> we just lost 19 of some of the finest people you'll ever meet. right now we're in crisis. >> reporter: the firefighters were part of the prescott fire department hot shot crew, getting their name because they worked in the hottest parts of the wildfire, setting up barriers to stop the destructive spread. >> these are the guys that will go out there with 40, 50 pounds of equipment and walk five miles, they will slaep out there. these are quality people. >> reporter: the crew was tasked with digging a fire line and creating an escape route. the flames hadn't even touched prescott. but like ma...

This elite team of firefighters. the yarnell hill fire began moving at a ferocious pace on sunday. suddenly changing direction claiming the most firefighter lives since 9/11 trapping 19 firefighters with no way out. >> we're devastated. we just lost 19 of some of finest people you'll ever meet. right now we're in crisis. >> reporter: the firefighters were part of the prescott fire department hot shot crew getting their name because they worked in the hottest most dangerous parts of the world fire, confronting wildfires up close and setting up barriers to stop the spread.fire, confronting wildf...

We did confirm that. the helicopter confirmed that. by the time the other firefighters got, in they didn't survive. >> that's just -- that's awful. explain to our viewers what a hotshot crew does. mr. morrison? >> yes? >> explain to our viewers what a hotshot crew does. >> well, a hotshot crew are the elite firefighters. and there is crews all around the nation. and they're usually 20-person crew. and they're the ones that actually go in and dig the fire line, cut the brush, to make a fuel break. and so they would be in safely or as close to the fire as they felt they safely could to be able t...

Acres since just sunday. it's all in this area around yarnell that you see there on the map. the disaster the worst loss of firefighter life since 9/11. senator john mccain said their sacrifice will never be forgotten. we're learning more about those fallen heros. they were members of an elite hot shot crew making their loss of experience and knowledge incredibly detrimental to this firefighting community. they are the best of the best this crew, these hot shots were digging a fire line around the yarnell hill wildfire. they were trying to starve the fuel for the fire. very dangerous. that's w...