19 fire fighters dead in one fire -USA

[digger]

News is emerging of 19 Firefighters that have died in a bushfire in ARIZONA, the fire fighters were members of the aviation fire fighting service. This loss virtually wipes out their fire fighting strength.

The fire continues unabated.

Thoughts and prayers are with families and friends.


Arizona Wildfire 2013: 19 Firefighters Die While Battling Yarnell Hill Blaze


(Reuters) - Nineteen firefighters were killed battling a fast-moving wildfire menacing a small town in central Arizona, the U.S. Wildland Fire Aviation service said on Sunday.
The firefighters perished in the so-called Yarnell Hill Fire, near the small town of Yarnell about 80 miles northwest of Phoenix, the agency said in a Facebook post.
"It has been confirmed that 19 wildland firefighters have lost their lives on the Yarnell Hill fire Arizona," the post said, adding that the agency was asking "for prayers for the families and friends of these brave men and women."
No immediate details on the circumstances of the firefighters' deaths were provided.
The blaze has charred about 1,000 acres of tinder-dry chapparral and grasslands since erupting Friday amid heat wave conditions baking the Southwest, prompting the evacuation of scores of homes near Yarnell.
The Daily Courier Prescott newspaper said the dead were members of the Prescott Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots team. The newspaper put the death toll at 18, citing reports from the fire department.

[PeterM]

What a hell of a way to go.
Thoughts are with the department and families.

[V8Ian]

That's shocking.

[incisor]

sounds like their emergency shelters need a revamp..

terrible loss of lives....

[digger]

sounds like their emergency shelters need a revamp..

terrible loss of lives....

If they are the ones I think they are theyre basically a sleeping bag type set up of silver fire curtain, I think they all carry them over there now.

Its a probably 8 or 9' long 'bag' opens up like a body bag, they hop in, roll face down holding sides in with tabs and wait for fire to pass over.. They are an extreme last resort thing...

If it is these shelters, and the fuel load is high, the heat itself and the smoke is likely to kill those involved... a terrible way to go.

I am not sure however that it is those type. But theyre commonly carried.

[jimr1]

We're all used to Bush fires here in OZ. Hearing this news from the us is just as tragic . My thoughts are with this Comunity at this very sad time . jim1.

[KarlB]

Eighteen of the 19 killed were an Interagency Hotshot Crew (Granite Hills Hotshots). Such crews typically have 20-22 members. There are about 110 such crews operating across the USA. Only one member of the Hotshot Crew survived. A great loss, and very sad indeed.

KarlB

PS See Interagency Hotshot Crews; http://firecritic.com/2013/06/30/lod...ell-hill-fire/

[bob10]

19 fire fighters lost. A terrible cost to pay. I feel for their families, & their community. Never having heard of this type of fire fighting, I googled it. Apparently they walk in, sometimes parachute in , with backpacks full of gear, [ chainsaws, etc] to clear fire breaks , very fit, dedicated. Brave men. The only question I ask is, why aren't the fire breaks cleared , and the area back burned by the relevant councils, before the fire season, and why send in brave men whose only escape is by foot, or have to resort to using safety gear not up to the task. A flawed concept, I would suggest. Bob

[33chinacars]

Flame jumpers are the bravest of the brave. A very sad loss. This will be felt by all firefighters world wide. Special prayers for these brave men & women and their families & friends.

I salute you my brothers in arms

Gary ( CFA vol )

[42rangie]

Associated with fire service since I was a teen. R.I.P. my brothers.

Les