Statement by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on the Wildfire in Arizona

The following press release was published by the US Department of Homeland Security on July 1, 2013. It is reproduced in full below.

For Immediate Release DHS Press Office Contact: 202-282-8010 “Today, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the nineteen firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty combating the wildfire outside Yarnell, Arizona. As thousands of their colleagues continue to fight wildfires across Arizona and the West, the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are working closely with our federal partners including the Forest Service and the Department of Interior, to support state and local efforts. Our utmost priority is public safety and I urge residents in the impacted areas to continue to listen to local authorities and follow their guidance and instructions.”

Source: US Department of Homeland Security