The Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite crew who formed in 2002, suffered a major loss when 19 of its 20 members were killed battling a wildfire in Arizona on Sunday, it was reported.
The crew was considered the best of the best, with members having to be in peak physical condition. Would-be members, according to NBC News, had to run 1.5 miles in 10 minutes, complete 40 sit-ups in 60 seconds, and 25 push-ups in 60 seconds, and seven pull-ups in a row.
“We believe in rigorous physical and mental training, which allows us to perform at the optimum level in any location and under any circumstances,” their website said, according to NBC.
The team is part of the Prescott Fire Department.
It added: “We are routinely exposed to extreme environmental conditions, long work hours, long travel hours and the most demanding of fireline tasks. Comforts such as beds, showers and hot meals are not always common.”
Members of the crew were killed battling a 2,000-acre fire that was fueled by hot and dry conditions near Yarnell, Ariz., according to KPHO-TV.
Prescott Fire Spokesman Wade Ward told The Daily Courier that the crew worked to “create a greater portion of control to the most active side of the fire.”
“They have to be ready to leave for an assignment on two hours’ notice, which sometimes means missing family events,” Ward said last week in an interview. “They have to be prepared to be on that assignment for 21 days, get two days rest at home, and possibly be sent out on another 21-day assignment.”
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