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2 firefighters killed in crash amid SoCal wildfire

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-31 13:14

LOS ANGELES: Officials say two firefighters have been killed when their vehicle rolled off a mountainside as they battled a massive wildfire in northern Los Angeles County.

A Los Angeles County firefighter walks through thick smoke during the Station fire in the Acton area of Los Angeles, California August 30, 2009. [Agencies]

County Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bryant said at a news conference that the two men were amid intense fire near Mt. Gleason in the Angeles National Forest on Sunday afternoon when the vehicle crashed.

A tearful Bryant said the men's families have been notified. He did not release their identities or give a cause for the crash.

The fire has consumed 66 square miles, destroyed at least 18 structures and was threatening some 12,000 homes.