Yarnell Hill Fire—June 2013
The Southwest is no stranger to devastating wildfires, but the events of June 30, 2013, defy imagination. The Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona has left an indelible mark in history by claiming the lives of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots. The tragedy in Yarnell stands as the sixth-deadliest firefighter loss in American history and the largest loss of wildland firefighters in more than 80 years. Tragically, this incident highlighted the extreme hazards and devastation that can be created by topography, vegetation and weather. The lessons from this fire will continue to be shared within the ranks of wildland firefighters around the world for years to come. Firehouse covered the fire in the August 2013 issue.
