Community commemorates 5-year mark of Granite Mountain Hotshot tragedy

[Ptah]

The Granite Mountain Hotshots watch the Yarnell Hill Fire from a burned-out area on June 30, 2013, just hours before the wildfire blocked their escape through a valley and overran their position, killing them. (Hotshot Christopher MacKenzie/Courtesy of his family)

PRESCOTT — Even five years later, the news that 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots crew had died fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire is devastating.

The June 30, 2013, deaths of the elite Prescott firefighters unleashed an outpouring of grief that continues today — the five-year mark of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, plenty of developments have occurred in the wake of the heartbreak. Among them: formation of numerous Hotshot-focused foundations; the release of at least four books on the tragedy; the filming and release of a feature movie; the resolution of Hotshot-related pension claims and lawsuits; and the release of a number of government reports.

A LOOK BACK

Based on reports that came out in the months after the tragedy, the Hotshots had worked most of the day June 30, 2013, trying to control the erratic Yarnell Hill Fire. By late afternoon, they were headed to what they believed to be a safe spot when the fire overtook them.

https://www.dcourier.com/news/2018/jun/30/community-commemorates-5-year-mark-granite-mountai/

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. I saw the recent movie. Incredibly moving, very well done.

Only the Brave, with Josh Brolin. He's is such a good actor, I make it a point to catch his films.

I didn't fully realize the details as I started the movie. Kleenex required.