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Arizona firefighters involved in crash driving home from battling California's Carr Fire

Posted at 10:51 AM, Aug 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-15 20:22:27-04

Officials say two Arizona firefighters who were returning home after battling the Carr Fire in California were involved in a rollover crash.

On Monday, the firefighters were on the way back from their assignment when their engine blew a tire and it rolled on U.S. Highway 95 just outside of Hawthorne, Nevada, a spokesperson said.

The men were extricated from the engine and airlifted to a Nevada hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.  

RELATED: Carr Fire is so hot in California, it's creating its own weather system

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Both men, who are from Elephant Head Volunteer Fire Department in Amado, Arizona, have since been released from the hospital and were the only people inside the vehicle. 

State Forester Jeff Whitney says driving is one of the most dangerous aspects of being a firefighter and he’s happy both men are OK.

“Considering the seriousness of the accident, we are very lucky these men were able to be released from the hospital so quickly,” he said. “We are always on the road and driving is one of the most dangerous parts of our jobs. We cannot stress driver safety enough. Thankfully, these men will both make full recoveries.” 

Nearly 400 Arizona firefighters are battling flames across the west; the majority of crews are assigned to California blazes.