As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Yarnell Hill fire that killed 19 firefighters, local firefighters are working with state and federal agencies to find solutions to prevent such a catastrophe from repeating itself.
Fire Chief Sean Bomer of the Peoples Valley Fire District, which adjoins the city of Yarnell, said the local district has a “fuel reduction” squad that has removed dead trees and dead trees in key areas such as evacuation routes to ensure first responders are available. He said he was tasked with removing bushes and other shared fuel. Get people out of the fire as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Although the techniques and tools for fighting wildfires have changed little in the decade since the Yarnell Hill fires, Bomer said, firefighters have had a tough time dealing with wildfires that are known to spread in unexpected ways. He said he had come up with a new strategy that would be more profitable.
The Yarnell Hill Fire began on June 28, 2013, when lightning struck an area in Yavapai County that had been fire-free for over 40 years. Granite Mountain, an elite field firefighter based at the Prescott Fire Department, also participated in the fire fighting. Two days later, on 30 June, a fire broke out, killing 19 firefighters on board.
As devastating as the Yarnell Hill fire was, largely due to the large amount of fuel consumed by the lack of distance to homes and businesses, funds to fund fuel reduction efforts It wasn’t as available as it used to be.
Local fire departments have also designed a more efficient communication plan with state and federal agencies so everyone knows who’s doing what, where. As technology progressed, local, state, and federal agencies upgraded their radios with clear instructions on the frequencies on which they would operate.
Yarnell Fire District fire chief Jeff Shearer said the mapping system has also been improved to show more quickly where fires have broken out, with clearer contours showing which areas fall under which agency. said it was.
He added that improved communication strategies and technology can make a big difference during a dangerous and high-stakes event.
“There’s always a high risk when dealing with fires of any kind, whether it’s a house fire or a wildfire,” Shearer said. “So the best thing we can do right now is communicate. We can communicate with everyone so we can figure out where to fire and how to attack. .”
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Grant helped improve local firefighting efforts
Shearer said fire districts in the area were willing to add fire lines to protect man-made structures in the event of wildfires, giving crews enough time to plan their attacks. It added that it has received grants to fund mitigation activities, such as
Shearer said such subsidies were relatively rare for rural firefighters like him before the Yarnell Hill fire, but have become more prevalent since then. Shearer added that firefighters in the area are checking on residents and advising them on how to improve their home’s chances of survival in the event of a fire.
Both Shearer and Bomer said many factors contributed to the fatality rate of the Yarnell Hill fire. Many dry vegetation accumulated over the years, combined with lightning from dry, gale thunderstorms, led to fires that spread erratically and rapidly.
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Community preparedness is key to wildfires
Shearer and Bomer also feel that most residents have taken fire safety measures more seriously since the unusually deadly fire.
“We call this ‘peer pressure’, which means our neighbors clean their premises. Whether they hire us or an outside contractor, they also I hope we follow suit, it doesn’t matter,” Bomer said. “We just want to get it done.”
Bomer said being a rural sector often takes longer to respond than an urban sector, and pre-notifying residents of fire safety guidelines can help protect their homes from ruin. pointed out that it is possible.
He added that at least one community in Peoples Valley is National Fire Protection Association accredited, which could be a factor in insurers deciding whether to offer home insurance in the area. There is, Mr. Bomer said — stopping offering new home insurance policies in California, citing companies such as State Farm that have decided whether to offer home insurance in the area.
“And now it’s spilling over into Arizona,” Bomer said. “We have to do our due diligence to make this community sustainable. If people can’t insure their property, it will be a small tragedy for them. I don’t think the community is sustainable.No one wants to move here, no one wants to have a house here if they don’t have insurance.”
Francis Lechner, chairman of the Yarnell Community Resource Group and a 16-year resident of Yarnell, said Yarnell and the surrounding area are a reminder of the sacrifices 19 thugs made to protect their homes and businesses. He said he still feels it. Lechner considers himself lucky to be among those who survived the Yarnell Hill fires.
A woman she knew wasn’t so lucky, but she still can’t help but cry when she sees the video of the fire.
Lechner said he believes the tragedy has united the community and taught people to be aware of potential threats between neighbors, such as piles of rubble near heating appliances and free-ranging mountain lions.
“I think there’s a clearer realization of ‘I really can’t let this go,’ and it strengthens us as a community that cares about each other here,” Lechner said. “As a resident, I think it’s really important.”
Please contact reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or perry.vandell@gannett.com. follow him on twitter @PerryVandell.
