Obama sends condolences to families of firefighters who died in AZ wildfire

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – President Barack Obama is expressing his condolences to the families of the 19 firefighters who died battling an Arizona wildfire.

Obama says the firefighters were heroes and highly skilled professionals who quote — “put themselves in harm’s way to protect the lives and property of fellow citizens they would never meet.”

Obama, who is travelling in Africa, says the federal government will be in close contact with state and local officials in Arizona to provide support.

The firefighters — members of an elite crew fighting a forest fire northwest of Phoenix — were overtaken Sunday by a fast-moving blaze stoked by hot winds. The fire also destroyed some 200 homes.