AZ-J - are you in any danger from the fire?

twodear · twodear's Garage

I've never heard of so many bush fire firefighters being killed in a single fire.

Condolences to their families - Heros all...

BumbleBeemer36 · 07-01-2013, 06:57 PM

The worst loss of life since the 1933 Griffith Park fire.

Yarnell is 75 miles north of Jordan and I in Phoenix. No threat.

Flounder · 07-01-2013, 07:37 PM

I live in Prescott. Yarnell is just down the road, close enough to be a frequent bicycle ride for me. About 25 miles away as the crow flies.

It's been a horrible day here in Prescott. 19 people connect a lot of dots in a small community. I knew a few of the guys lost in that fire. It was a surreal day yesterday. My wife and I were in the yard when a relatively small thunderhead blew over bringing with it 15 minutes of 45 mph gusts. Little did we know those same winds an hour later would strike the fire to kill those 19 guys. Had we only known. Had they only know.

Our little community had been celebrating our local heroes with signs and banners all week after their efforts at the 8,000 acre Doce fire just two weeks ago. To have lost all of them yesterday was devistating. They leave behind lots of young kids and expectant kids.

I saw a woman at the grocery store break into tears. Little question why. Our town is really hurting today.

Rest in peace, heroes. You will be missed.

BumbleBeemer36 · 07-01-2013, 08:10 PM

Thanks for the local update. I'm sure everyone in Prescott either knows a hotshot or someone who knows a hotshot there. I think I went up looking to buy a Ducati Monster from one of them a few years back. Nice guy - mature for his age.

Stopped in last weekend during the Bluegrass Fest but forgot you don't work weekends.

SeabeckS · 07-02-2013, 12:50 AM

26 years in the fire service, most of those with Nev Div of Forestry in the Reno/Tahoe area. Been on the fire line when firefighters paid the ultimate price. It's an extremely risky profession, and unless you've been on the line, it's very difficult to understand how quickly things can go bad. My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those dedicated firefighters...may my brothers and sisters rest in peace...

AZ-J · AZ-J's Garage

It is bad, but I have no danger. BUT, I know a lot of firefighters being on the FIREPAL board, they are in some bad mood.

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

I was really sorry to hear this. Breaks my heart. The young families left, the strongest and fittest people suddenly gone in an instant. They take the risks but sure don't get the financial rewards.

Being someone that has always lived in small western towns, and actually lived in Prescott for a while (working on Mingus Mountain) I really feel your pain. It's tragic. It would be equivalent to losing the entire ski patrol at Crested Butte, or an entire softball team in a super tight knit community.

It's going to hurt for a long while.

AZ-J · AZ-J's Garage

The Governor declared a state of emergency, making $200,000 available. The Feds are sending special water planes to us that dump water and in 20 minutes are ready again.

flatbutt · 07-03-2013, 06:30 PM

$200k? Thats it?

Flounder · 07-03-2013, 07:18 PM

Today was another very somber day. I didn't know it was going to happen, but I caught the long procession of police escorted wildfire trucks as they rolled through town. In the procession were the very distinctive white transports of the Granite Mt Hot Shot crew who passed. They had been at the scene of the fire since sunday and were on route to the fire station.

Sad to see them roll by...empty.

This has been an awful few days.

There are far more than 19 heroes here. The wives left behind with small and unborn children amaze me with their strength and fortitude.

I live in an amazing community.

Flounder · 07-03-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatbutt

$200k? Thats it?

The 100 Club immediately gave each surviving family $15k. Other celebrities (with their names boldly attached) have matched that donation.

At least here in Prescott, dozens of businesses and groups are donating 100% of their business proceeds to the families affected. This town is rising to the occasion.

AZ-J · AZ-J's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatbutt

$200k? Thats it?

That was to cover fire related expenses. Not the families.

lightfighter · 07-03-2013, 09:42 PM

I can with some certainty, say that the granite mountian crew saved houses within a few miles of mine a couple years ago, during the Monument fire. I was evacuating houses in the area I buried my patrol car in some rocks to let a crew get to the fire a few hundred feet behind me and almost got nailed by a slurry plane and a hot shot crew was the only other souls on the street.

It's a big thing for me to say I truely shed tears for the loss of those guys. I don't know if people understand the risks they take to save houses, trees, and habitat.

I guess I can say I'm honored to have worked amongst them.

SeabeckS · 07-03-2013, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightfighter

I can with some certainty, say that the granite mountian crew saved houses within a few miles of mine a couple years ago, during the Monument fire. I was evacuating houses in the area I buried my patrol car in some rocks to let a crew get to the fire a few hundred feet behind me and almost got nailed by a slurry plane and a hot shot crew was the only other souls on the street.

It's a big thing for me to say I truely shed tears for the loss of those guys. I don't know if people understand the risks they take to save houses, trees, and habitat.

I guess I can say I'm honored to have worked amongst them.

Thanks for being there with them...