18 Prescott firefighters die in blaze

[Phil1]

PRESCOTT - The Prescott Fire Department lost nearly its entire crew today - the Granite Mountain Hotshots - with 18 firefighters dying and one surviving.

A Prescott Fire spokesman told The Daily Courier the crew was battling the Yarnell fire, which has resulted in evacuations as it has grown to an estimated 1,300 acres in size.

A report of eight injured firefighters earlier in the evening was unconfirmed.

The spokesman said the extent of the survivor's injuries were not known at this time. He also declined to release firefighters' identities.

Further information was unavailable.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Grand Canyon Chapter opened a shelter on the Prescott campus of Yavapai College Sunday for displaced residents. Expecting large numbers, Red Cross Chapter Communications Officer Trudy Thompson-Rice said plans are already under way to open a second shelter closer to Yarnell.

Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Community Relations Specialist Anthony J. Palermo said structures were burning as of Sunday night, but could not confirm how many structures were burned.

BREAKING NEWS: 18 Prescott firefighters die in blaze - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona

 

[bodywerks]

Speechless.

 

[jcfd2201]

Granite Mountain Hotshots USFS/Prescott FD Interagency Team. A sad and painful day to lose 18, possibly 19, of my Arizona brothers. My heart is broken and the smoke is making the eyes water. My thoughts and prayers are with all those effected by this tragedy. Waiting for the call for our team/engine to head that way.

 

[Riksors]

Prayers sent.

 

[George Az]

Very sad, thoughts go out to the families. If you are out there, please try to be as safe as you can.

 

[Lowlight]

Tragedic, really a sad situation

 

[DamnYuppie]

Very sad day indeed.

 

[jcfd2201]

Confirmed 19 paid the ultimate price today.

 

[30calDeath]

Wow...cant really say much, this has got to be one of the worst cases of loss by a FD in a while.

 

[sjb269]

FUC!
Had to be a sudden change in conditions.

 

[jcfd2201]

FUC!
Had to be a sudden change in conditions.

We had winds out of the east this morning with high pressure in the northwest portion of the state. The wind gusts in that area today were 40+ mph. The thunderstorms built up and the winds shifted due to the outflow winds. They apparently got caught in a burnover and deployed shelters. I am waiting on a text back from a friend that is on the fire now.

 

[pawprint2]

God Bless them, and their families.
I've returned to this post, as I just read the number is now 19.

 

[knifecoop]

RIP brothers, Its been a hard year for fire families..prayers for the fallen.

 

[Slapchop]

Granite Mountain Hotshots USFS/Prescott FD Interagency Team. A sad and painful day to lose 18, possibly 19, of my Arizona brothers. My heart is broken and the smoke is making the eyes water. My thoughts and prayers are with all those effected by this tragedy. Waiting for the call for our team/engine to head that way.

May those brave souls rest in peace. If you head out there JCFD, please be safe.

 

[pig2pa]

Just got up and read the news, so sad.......

 

[vinnieb]

Very sad indeed.. RIP to those that lost their lives and prayers to the guys and gals that are still there fighting that beast. All local guys from what I hear, so that'll mean everyone in that small area will have known them on a personal level. That will make it harder to deal with for the community for sure as they were friends and family. The news is saying 250 homes have burned also, pretty devastating fire indeed.

We had a fire break out about 3 miles from our house on Saturday night and thankfully they stopped it fast but not before it got a couple homes on that one but no injuries thankfully. We are soooo dry here now and the dry lightning is just beginning. I hope the rains come fast as this is a very bad situation here now.

 

[Rob01]

RIP Brothers.

 

[c1steve]

RIP to those who risk their lives daily, for the benefit of strangers.

 

[shibby575]

RIP. The men on that team are definitely well trained. If there was a way for them to have survived, I'm sure they'd have made it. This is an extreme loss for our Wildland Brethren. Prayers for all of the surviving crew mates, and family's.

 

[sjb269]

For those that have info...please keep updates posted here if possible including memorial info and any needs of the Prescott FD as that can be more timely than official media outlets.

 

[sjb269]

About the Crew
Granite Mountain IHC consists of dedicated people of varying age and diverse backgrounds. Our common bond is our love of hard work and arduous adventure. We believe in rigorous physical and mental training, which allows us to perform at the optimum level in any location and under any circumstances. We are routinely exposed to extreme environmental conditions, long work hours, long travel hours and the most demanding of fireline tasks. Comforts such as beds, showers and hot meals are not always common. Problem solving, teamwork, ability to make decisions in a stressful environment and being nice are the attributes of our crewmembers. We are grateful for our opportunities to excel and proud to represent the citizens of the City of Prescott and the Prescott Fire Department.

 

[Desert_308]

Here are more details (linked below) from our local paper. We had a very wet winter and mild spring. Thousands of acres covered in thick dry undergrowth, triple digit temps, wind, dry lightning and very rugged topography. Just an explosive mixture. Half the homes in Yarnell are feared destroyed. God help everyone up there.

Deadly Yarnell Hill Fire: Crews expect fire to be erratic

 

[TXPACS]

For those that have info...please keep updates posted here if possible including memorial info and any needs of the Prescott FD as that can be more timely than official media outlets.

I have a friend in Prescott, AZ. Satellite trucks are at Prescott High School, mayor and possibly governor are expected to appear. Local businesses are offering discounts to fire fighters and displaced residents. I will try to post some pics & any updates I get. Prayers out.

 

[Bradu]

I didn't hear anything about this until I opened this thread. I can't imagine what the community and families are going through right now.

 

[nicko]

This is a tragic thing that has happened.. unfourtanly im a very good friend to one of these men he was also getting married to my little cousin in october who is like a little sister to me her pain at this time is unimaginable please pray for my family and his family also his father is also a firefighter and carried his body down the mountain this morning its a very sad situation. if any one would like to help with any donations please pm me and i will make sure it gets to the right people. please keep the prayers going. thank you very much.....

 

[jcm151]

RIP. Very sad. Any info on ways to help the families?

 

[user]

God Bless each one of you. My prayers are with you and your families.

 

[TXPACS]

Home

Link should be GTG for donations

 

[jcfd2201]

Our 19 Fallen Brothers.
Ashcraft, Andrew - Age: 29
... Caldwell, Robert - Age: 23
Carter, Travis - Age: 31
Deford, Dustin - Age: 24
MacKenzie, Christopher - Age: 30
Marsh, Eric - Age: 43
McKee, Grant - Age: 21
Misner, Sean - Age: 26
Norris, Scott - Age: 28
Parker, Wade - Age: 22
Percin, John - Age: 24
Rose, Anthony - Age: 23
Steed, Jesse - Age: 36
Thurston, Joe - Age: 32
Turbyfill, Travis - Age: 27
Warneke, William - Age: 25
Whitted, Clayton - Age: 28
Woyjeck, Kevin - Age: 21
Zuppiger, Garret - Age: 27

May they rest in peace and God be with their families during this difficult time.

 

[jcfd2201]

This is a tragic thing that has happened.. unfourtanly im a very good friend to one of these men he was also getting married to my little cousin in october who is like a little sister to me her pain at this time is unimaginable please pray for my family and his family also his father is also a firefighter and carried his body down the mountain this morning its a very sad situation. if any one would like to help with any donations please pm me and i will make sure it gets to the right people. please keep the prayers going. thank you very much.....

Nicko I am sorry for your loss. I worked a couple fires in the past with these guys and dealt with Jesse and Joe on the Wallow Fire. This one hurts.

 

[TXPACS]

Tried to post a link, not sure what happened. "100 Club of Arizona" is GTG for donations.

 

[jcfd2201]

100 Club of AZ Home
Wildland Firefighter Foundation - HOME

http://www.firehero.org/

This website has a lot of info and will be updated regularly. It also has info for donations. http://yarnellfallenfirefighters.com/

 

[AutoEssentials]

Damn. What a horrible loss. My heart goes out to all of the families of those brave men.

 

[dadzic]

RIP. God bless them and their families.

 

[DuneBoer]

This is really awful. Another crew.

"I'll leave a can of Copenhagen for you guys at the memorial in Prineville."

God Bless and RIP brothers.

 

[wilsey]

Can't imagine what the families, friends and the community of Prescott are going through right now.
My heart and my deepest prayers go out to everyone affected with this horrible tragedy. God bless these 19 brave men

 

[koodbe]

I retired out 1 1/2 years ago from hand crew work, this was always my biggest fear. As a crew boss you always have to think of the what if's and where fore's..... my heart is so heavy for this loss. To the families, friends, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers..... my deepest and sincerest condolences. RIP Brothers!

 

[nicko]

Nicko I am sorry for your loss. I worked a couple fires in the past with these guys and dealt with Jesse and Joe on the Wallow Fire. This one hurts.

Thanks jcfd2201 I also knew jesse not real well but I have spent time with him multiple times and I do no he was a great man and father. Wade Parker was marrying into my familly in oct wade was a tough kid who loved his job also and did it with pride.
He was a good kid I will miss him.... My prayers are for all the family's wife's and kids left behind

 

[jcfd2201]

Memorial service is set for July 9 at 1100hrs at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott. The asshats from Westboro Baptist Church are allegedly planning on attending, probably a really bad idea on their part.