The memorial service for the 19 Arizona firefighters is taking place today and live streaming online below. Expected to speak at the service is Vice President of the United States Joe Biden. A wildfire in Yarnell, AZ raged out of control on July 1, causing the death of the 19 as they bravely fought to halt the blaze.

The fire, sparked by a lightening strike on the Friday prior, also destroyed approximately 200 homes as it burned through 20,000 acres of land, according to an AP article. Gusty winds, 100+ degree temperatures, and low humidity encouraged the fire’s massive and uncontrollable growth. Fortunately, the 700 residents of Yarnell had been evacuated before the wildfire reached their town, so no additional casualties took place.

Those 19 firefighters, who lost their lives in what officials have called the “deadliest wildfire in the US involving firefighters, for at least 30 years”, were part of an elite unit deployed by their department to slow the blaze by removing the dry brush that fuels the flames. The terrible combination of weather and land conditions proved too powerful, however, and the men were forced to deploy their last line of defense against the fast-moving wildfire, covering themselves with a foil-like, flame resistant material, which has only a 50% success rate of sufficient protection to enable survival.

The men were part of the city of Prescott’s Fire Department, a city located 30 miles north of Yarnell, where the men were working on Sunday. Their chief, Dan Fraijo, shared his deepest condolences with the firefighters’ families, saying the department was “devastated” and calling his men “19 of the finest people you’ll ever meet.”

The crew had fought valiantly against other wildfires in New Mexico and other parts of Arizona in the weeks prior to the tragedy earlier this month. 200 other firefighters were reportedly working to contain the wildfire as well, with more reinforcements expected to arrive. Rest in peace to those who perished.