July 03--An Ashe County native was among the 19 firefighters who died Sunday as a fast-moving wildfire moved through central Arizona.
Eric Marsh, 43, was killed along with the other firefighters after they were forced to deploy their fire shelters, tent-like structures designed to protect firefighters from flames and heat.
Marsh, an alumnus of Ashe Central High School, graduated in 1992 from Appalachian State University with a bachelor's degree in biology, said Jane Nicholson, the director of university news at ASU.
Marsh, an avid mountain biker, became hooked on firefighting as a student at ASU, said Leanna Racquer, the ex-wife of his cousin. Marsh stayed with Racquer and her then-husband during the winters from 1992 through 1996 in North Carolina, but kept returning to Arizona during fire season.
Marsh continued working as a firefighter, landing a full-time job and settling in northern Arizona. He even moved his parents to the state, she said.
"He was great -- he was the best at what he did," Racquer said. "He is awesome and well-loved, and they are hurting," Racquer said of Marsh's family.
Marsh worked as the superintendent of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew and was the oldest of the 19 firefighters who died, his relatives said.
His father, John Marsh of Prescott, Ariz., told The Jefferson Post that his son moved to Arizona eight years ago to help organize the unit.
Marsh was married, but had no children, said his cousin, Scott Marsh of Pisgah Forest.
"He was a great son," John Marsh said of his son. "He was compassionate and caring about his crew."
Marsh talked about the dangers of firefighting in a July 2010 interview with The Prescott (Ariz.) Daily Courier.
In central Arizona, 20 to 25 lightning strikes can start forest fires when a storm passes through the area, Marsh said at that time.
"Some could burn out in a few hours, and some could go to 20,000 acres," Marsh told the Daily Courier. "And that lightning fire that starts in the middle of nowhere can end up in somebody's front yard."
As of Tuesday, the deadly fire had covered 13 miles, Arizona authorities said. Investigators believe it was started by a lightning strike.
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The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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