As the 10th anniversary of the fire accident that claimed the lives of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots in the fight against the Yarnell Hill fire approaches, the team is working to commemorate the tragedy with a memorial event on Friday, June 30, 2023. increase.
In a February 8th news release, the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Team reported that two special events are planned for June 30th.
“This June marks a 10th anniversary that our wild firefighting community, Arizonans and country will never forget,” said the news release. “On June 30, 2013, 19 members of his Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshots in Yavapai County lost their lives fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire.”
To honor the 19 hotshots who died, the interagency Granite Mountain Hotshot Memorial Team is planning a memorial event for Friday, June 30, 2023.
First, on Friday morning, the team prepares for a private memorial service for Granite Mountain families at the Arizona Pioneer Home Cemetery in Prescott.
Then, a public memorial is planned that afternoon at the Yavapai County Courthouse Square. I hope At that time on June 30th each year, 19 bells ring to commemorate Hot Shot.
“We will never stop honoring these men, their lives, and the sacrifices they made, not just on June 30th, but every day,” said Memorial Team Incident Commander Tony Sciacca. “This is a tragedy for the entire Wilderness Firefighter family and many of us are still trying to process the day. Although we cannot show our gratitude, we hope that through these ceremonies, we can ensure that their memories live on and that we will always be able to remember them in the way they deserve.
Local, state, and federal agencies are on the memorial team, including the City of Prescott. Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Prescott Fire Department; Central Arizona Fire and Medical Department; Prescott National Forest. the Bureau of Land Management; and various Phoenix area fire departments.
According to the news release, more information will be revealed as planning for the event continues over the next few months. A memorial website is also under development and its address will be shared shortly.
