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| -Obits- |
| Arizona Wildfire Kills Entire 19 Man Crew |
| 2013-07-01 |
| The Prescott Fire Department lost nearly its entire crew today - the Granite Mountain Hotshots - with 19 firefighters dying. A Prescott Fire spokesman told The Daily Courier the crew was battling the Yarnell fire, which has resulted in evacuations as it has grown to an estimated 1,300 acres in size. Worst wildfire loss in 80 years and worst firefighter loss since 9-11. Really hurts to lose guys like these - I think half may have been volunteers. Several are just a degree or two of separation from me - friends of a friend - and probably from many of you too. |
| Posted by:Glenmore |
| #9 If they were digging holes and deploying the "shake and bake" then I would guess they were. Sounds like the fire moved so fast a few had time to open the shelter, but didn't get under it in time according to reports. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2013-07-01 12:59 |
| #8 Jackrabbits, man. Jackrabbits. Stories out there are a bit breathless, so not sure how much stock to put into them. Darth, would it be a good guess that these firefighters were on foot? |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2013-07-01 12:23 |
| #7 Also, tree embers and burning critters can blow a hole in any defense measures set up... Watch out for flaming squirrels! |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2013-07-01 11:16 |
| #6 I'm trying to find out TS4452. If I could guess by the name, canyon fires are very tricky. My gear got ruined and not in a hah hah joke way one day when we were fighting a grass fire, where the grass was real short and dry and the wind was blowing 60mph, shifty too, say a 30 degree change too frequently - didn't help the damned pump went out. Didn't see fire, just the ground changing color, then hits taller stuff and whoosh, angry fire and that was in flat land, canyons + big heat make for some...interesting things to remember. Also, tree embers and burning critters can blow a hole in any defense measures set up, such as a back burn, wet line, or road plow/grater. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2013-07-01 11:03 |
| #5 I helped fight the fire back in 1994 and still remember that horrible day. Somethings went horribly wrong happened in Prescott if it caught 19 firefighters since disasters like this are a combination of several things done wrong and going wrong all at once. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2013-07-01 10:58 |
| #4 What happened? A shift of the wind? I heard that a simple change in wind direction can lead to fires sweeping hundreds of acres in a matter of seconds. Scary. |
| Posted by: Tyranysaurus Sneth4452 2013-07-01 10:47 |
| #3 As of now, lightning is blamed. Usual suspect "arsonist" rounded up in 3-2-1 to assuage public outrage. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2013-07-01 09:17 |
| #2 Having been a volunteer firefighter for 22 years this is imply a horrible incident. It is very risky work but the community is so much better for having people who do this because they care. We all like the action sadly there is always an inherent danger associated with it. My heart goes out to them all. Be safe my brothers and sisters. |
| Posted by: Rightwing 2013-07-01 09:13 |
| #1 So very sad. Brave Americans trying to save their neighbors and kin. There is no higher calling, none more brave. Be with the families and loved ones Geagte Here ek bid. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-07-01 08:27 |