19 Hot Shot firefighters reported killed

News from Central Arizona surrounding the Yarnell Hill Fire:

Most recent Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots. from the Prescott AZ city web site

2011 portrait of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots. image from the USDA Forest Service

From azcentral.com:

Arizona State forestry officials confirmed Sunday night that 19 firefighters have died in the Yarnell Hill Fire, which has devastated half of the town and forced residents to flee to Prescott for safety. This tragic event marks the largest wildfire-related loss of life in the state's history.

“It’s a dark day,” said Mike Reichling, Arizona State Forestry Division spokesman. “The 19 firefighters were found in an area where 19 fire shelters had been deployed. Some were inside the shelters, while others were not.”

Reichling warned that nearly half of Yarnell’s 500 homes could be destroyed as the fire continues to spread with no containment. The blaze has grown beyond 2,000 acres and is expected to reach “Type 1” status, prompting federal assistance to arrive by Monday morning. He anticipates around 400 personnel being deployed to fight the fire.

The fire, ignited by lightning on Friday evening, was moving north and east at about half a mile per hour. By Sunday afternoon, officials ordered the evacuation of Yarnell and parts of Peeples Valley. Wind-driven flames prompted the closure of 25 miles of State Route 89 between Congress and Kirkland, but evacuees could still travel 30 miles to a shelter in Prescott.

Despite efforts to contain the fire, it remained at zero percent containment as of Sunday. The blaze, fueled by chaparral and grass, was burning uphill on state land about 25 miles north of Wickenburg, with flames reaching up to 20 feet high. Low humidity, strong winds, and steep terrain contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

About 250 firefighters, including multiple Type 1 and Type 2 crews, were working to protect the community. Additional resources, such as helicopters and air tankers, were also deployed. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office evacuated several areas, including the Double Bar A Ranch and Model Creek, using reverse 911 calls and door-to-door alerts.

With temperatures reaching 101 degrees and southwest winds gusting up to 22 mph, the fire continued to push toward residential areas. As of 5 p.m., no structures had been lost, but the threat remained high.

Staff writer Yvonne Wingett contributed to this report.

wildfire
David Kadlubowski
Dean Smith watches as the Yarnell Hill Fire encroaches on his home in Glenn Ilah on Sunday, June 30, 2013 near Yarnell, Ariz. The fire started Friday and picked up momentum as the area experienced high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. It has forced the evacuation of residents in the Peeples Valley area and in the town of Yarnell. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)

A gallery with several images is HERE.

USDA Forest Service website for Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots

Welcome to the Prescott Hotshot Crew Web Page!

Since 1973, when the crew first received Type I status, it has evolved through changes in equipment, technology, and training. Yet, the core mission of the Hotshots remains the same: to be elite, professional wildland firefighters.

History

• The Prescott Hotshots originated in 1972 as a Type II crew, led by George Pittman, who included Prescott College students.
• In 1973, Durk Lokes took over and secured Type I status for the crew.
• Mark Zumwalt introduced new technologies and structures in 1975, making the crew more interregional.
• By 1977, the crew had 30 members, organized into three sections of ten each.
• In 1978, Glenn Dundas restructured the crew, introducing a five-person leadership model.
• Tom Tobin led the crew in 1985, bringing in new transportation and integrating a diverse workforce.
• Tony Sciacca took over in 1988, leading the crew until 1998, after which he became a District Fire Management Officer on the Prescott.
• Curtis Heaton served as Superintendent from 1999 to 2001, later moving to the Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Jeff Andrews became Superintendent in 2002, currently serving as Deputy Fire Staff Officer for the Prescott National Forest.
• Darin Fisher has been Superintendent since 2005 and continues to lead the crew today.

The Granite Mountain Hot Shots are part of the Wildland Fire Division of the Prescott Fire Department.

A feature article last year from cronkitenews.com on this crew can be found HERE.

When the flames approach, hotshot crews drop to the ground, forming tight circles and pointing their feet toward the fire to deflect heat. They secure their emergency shelters, ensuring no smoke or heat gets in, and keep their faces close to the ground to breathe cooler air.

There’s nothing left to do but wait. For the Granite Mountain Hotshots, one of 112 Interagency Hotshot Crews in the U.S., using shelters during wildfires is a rare but essential skill. Their work in remote areas means they must be prepared for any scenario.

Training is crucial, especially for newer members. “If we’re not doing it, we’re thinking and planning about it,” said Eric Marsh, the crew’s superintendent. “But when we get out there, it’s a completely different ballgame.”

Members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots often spend weeks in the wilderness, relying on helicopters for supplies. Last year, they fought major fires across Arizona and even in other states like Colorado and Minnesota.

Training is a way of life. On a recent weekday, they practiced setting up fire shelters and cutting fire lines. “It’s better to make mistakes here than in a real fire,” said squad leader Daniel McCarty. “In any other job, you don’t worry about your life every day. But in this job, you have to watch your buddy too.”

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