Ten Years Ago Today - RIP Granite Mountain Hotshots

[Danno]

 

Ten Years Ago today, on 06-30-2013, the Granite Mountain Hotshots firefighting team from Prescott, AZ were deployed on a wildland fire on Yarnell Hill. They were fighting an active wildland fire that was aggressively threatening the population of Yarnell, AZ - approximately 600 people and 400 households. The fire burned 8,400 acres before containment. At approximately 4:15 p.m. MST, ferocious fire weather blew the fire up and it overran the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Despite deployment of their protective shelters, 19 of the 20 were killed.

It was the largest loss of firefighters since 1933, other than 9-11.

The Granite Mountain Hotshots fought fires all over the United States during the seven years of their existence. They were the only municipal firefighting team ever certified as Type 1 Hotshots. The Yarnell Hill fire was less than 30 miles from their hometown, Prescott, AZ. 

Please take a couple of moments . . . specifically 19 seconds, if you will . . . to offer Moments of Silence or Prayer to honor these brave heroes and offer condolences and solace to their survivors, families, and friends.

 

AZ Granite Mountain Hotshots website

 

[Just 11 days before the Yarnell Hill tragedy, this same group of gladiators fought another fire in AZ, not far from Prescott. They defended an historic 2,000 year old Juniper tree that was a beloved landmark, dear to the local citizenry. It was presumed the Big Juniper would be lost to the fire, but the Granite Mountain Hotshots saved it, against all odds.]

Edited July 1, 2023 by Danno
Date typo corrected.

[Rodent]

Can't believe it has been 10 years. This tragedy happened less than three weeks after the last time I drove through there. The MIL lived in Prescott until she couldn't be by herself any longer. We/I usually drove through here on the way to I-10. I was shocked to hear about the fire and the deaths.

(P.S.: Your date is wrong in the body of your post)

[Ace-Garageguy]

Courageous men, horrible way to die. Good of you to remember them.

[Danno]

Good catch, Steve. Thank you.  I've fixed it now.

 

As a bonus, check out this short video on the topic.

 

Hall of Flame Video Tribute 

 

 

[89AKurt]

Thank you for posting this.  This is my home town.  I still remember that day when I was standing on my street looking at a massive thunderhead to the north, and feeling the change of wind direction with the cool downdraft and feeling some relief from that hot summer day, not knowing that 31 miles south of me this tragedy was unfolding.  There was a tribute ceremony at the Courthouse Plaza/Square, listened to it on the radio.  I stood on a bridge over 89A to watch the 19 hearses drive by, and listened to the powerful ceremony (wrong word, what is the correct word escapes me) on the radio.  Attended the opening of the museum at the Gateway Mall.  Hiked the trail to the Fatality site outside of Yarnell, can't imagine carrying all the equipment through that rough terrain, and then being overrun by the flames.  Saw the movie, typical Hollyweird with the station in a beautiful setting (it was in the industrial area in town), otherwise a very moving tribute.  I still need to hike to that Juniper in the photo, the Doce Fire that consumed much of Granite Mountain could have been worse without their work.  Even after 10 years, still took a lot for me to type this. ?

[Danno]

Thank you, Kurt. 

 

[slusher]

I remember it on the World News. Good men doing a good thing sad they lost their lives just doesn’t seem right…