The 19 firefighters killed last weekend in the Yarnell Hill Fire died of burns and inhalation problems, according to Cari Gerchick, a spokeswoman for the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office in Phoenix.
The initial autopsy findings released on Thursday show that members of the Granite Mountain hotshot crew died from burns, carbon monoxide poisoning or oxygen deprivation, or a combination of the factors. The autopsies were performed Tuesday.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will release more detailed reports after all lab work is completed, which is expected to take about three months.
On Sunday, each of the fallen heroes will be returned in an individual hearse to Prescott. Motorcycle escorts and honor-guard members will escort the 75-mile procession from Phoenix.
An investigation into the origins of the fire is under way.