L.A. County Coroner's officials have confirmed that two Los Angeles County firefighters were killed when their vehicle overturned in the Angeles National Forest, south of Acton, where fire crews anxiously worked to contain the monstrous Station fire.

The 42,500-acre fire destroyed 18 homes and threatened over 10,000 more residences, 500 commercial properties and 2,000 other structures. The blaze rained ash on cars as far away as downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, spreading in all directions in hot, dry conditions.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged those in the fire's path to listen to authorities and get out. He also expressed condolences for the firefighters who died. (Full Story)

Note: Until more information is made available, there are no real specifics as to why this tragedy occurred. What we did hear on the news was that the engine was backing down a road and the engine went backwards over a cliff, killing two firefighters and seriously injuring a third. I am sure the FFN Web Team will be able to provide more updated information when more information becomes available. Our prayers go out to the family and department. California and Australia are both concurrently experiencing drought conditions and several out of control wildfires. Please be safe out there and take a second to make sure your decisions are sound and safe.

Update: The Los Angeles Times reported the following:

Two Los Angeles County firefighters battling the Station fire were killed this afternoon in a vehicle crash.

Officials announced the death at an emotional news conference, saying that the families of the fallen firefighters had been notified and that department chaplains were with them.

The accident occurred near Mt. Gleason earlier this afternoon. Details of the crash were not immediately available, but TV footage showed a truck rolled over on a mountainside.

[Updated at 8:29 p.m.]: County Deputy Fire Chief Mike Bryant fought back tears when he announced the deaths. He said the accident occurred during a period of intense firefighting near the northern edge of the fire near Acton. He did not release the names of the firefighters.
(Full Story)

The intensity of this fire can be seen very dramatically with this time lapse video.

Time Lapse Test: Station Fire from Eric Spiegelman on Vimeo.