Arizona Legislators Ask Obama to Reconsider Fire Aid

Key Arizona legislators are asking President Barack Obama to reconsider his administration’s denial of the state’s request for federal disaster relief for Yarnell for the Yavapai County community’s wildfire damage.

The Yarnell Hill Fire that killed 19 members of a Prescott firefighting crew on June 30 swept through much of Yarnell the same day, burning more than 100 homes.

The joint letter by House Speaker Andy Tobin and Minority Leader Chad Campbell cites the property damage and statements of support from Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Gov. Jan Brewer’s request for a disaster declaration on Friday.