The Rio Verde Fire District has received an assignment for its Type 6 Brush Engine and a three-man crew to the Yarnell Hills Fire northwest of Phoenix between Wickenburg and Prescott.

The unit is part of an engine task force that is involved in structure protection in Yarnell. The Rio Verde Fire District works under a cooperative agreement with the Arizona State Land Department and State Forestry to respond to wildland fires.

In the community of Yarnell more than 250 homes and businesses have been destroyed by the fire, leaving many devastated and homeless.

As most know this fire was the site of a devastating and tragic loss of fire personnel on Sunday, June 30, when a 19-man hand crew was overrun by the exploding and erratic blaze. These men were members of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hot Shots who attacked the fire on the front lines.

Verde residents interested in helping the community and the families of those lost may do so through the 100 Club of Arizona to assist the families of the firefighters, 100club.org, or the American Red Cross to assist those left homeless, redcross.org.

In the wake of the tragic loss of life, Verde residents are being invited to offer their thoughts and prayers to the loved ones of those lost.