Feds Deny Disaster Relief Aid for Arizona Wildfire

19 firefighters killed, 100 structure destroyed

The federal government has rejected Arizona's request for a disaster declaration for the Yarnell Hill fire, which killed 19 firefighters and destroyed more than 100 structures in late June and early July.

Gov. Jan Brewer said Friday she was "deeply troubled" by the Obama administration's "misguided decision" to deny the state's request for a disaster declaration and access to a federal assistance program for individuals.

"The State of Arizona continues to mourn this tragedy, which took the lives of nineteen of our bravest first responders. While no amount of federal assistance could ever ease the pain of such an extraordinary loss, it would have provided significant financial relief to Yarnell and Peeples Valley," Brewer said in a statement.