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Arizona State Forestry Challenges Fines For Yarnell Hill Fire

The Arizona State Forestry Division is challenging a $500,000 fine related to the deaths of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots in June. The 19 hotshots died while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire this summer.

An Arizona Department of Safety and Health report found forestry officials knowingly put their employees in danger. The state's industrial commission agreed and fined the division $560,000, but the forestry division said there is not enough evidence to fine it for such serious violations, and it is asking the state to take another look at the report. 

Alexandra Olgin was a Senior Field Correspondent at KJZZ from 2013 to 2016.