Michelle Marisco/KJZZ
APS banner commemorating the 19 firefighters who died on June 30, 2013.
Last Friday was a harrowing anniversary for Arizona. It’s been 10 years since 19 wildland firefighters died fighting the Yarnell Hill fire.
Hundreds gathered on the lawn of the Yavapai County Courthouse Friday afternoon to honor them.
Doug Copenhaver and Central Arizona Firefighter Pipes and Drums gathered with others to rehearse the roles before the ceremony.
“Our work is unique. It’s important to recognize that it’s unique. Our families are affected by it. We are affected by it. That’s why we It has to be a brotherhood, a family support system, that’s all.”,” he said.
Prescott Fire Department Chief Ralph Lucas warned of the dangers facing firefighters. Then he read out the names of the nineteen men who died, each with a ringing bell.
“Your job well done. Pipes and bells will ring for you,” he exclaimed, before calling each firefighter’s name.
Brendan McDonough was the unit’s 20th firefighter. He served as a lookout that day and was the only survivor. He read the same “Hot Shot Prayer” he read at the first Memorial service ten years ago.
Michelle Marisco/KJZZ
Doug Copenhaber playing pipes and drums for the Central Arizona Fire Brigade before the 10th anniversary memorial service in Prescott.
“Let my skills and hands be firm and quick. Let me find a safe zone, hitting and licking. Because if today I risk my life to respond to death’s call, Lord, Bless my Hotshot crew, my whole family,” he said. He said.
Then 16-year-old Ryder Ashcraft took the stage. He is the son of Andrew Ashcraft, one of the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
“Imagine a dark room. Peaceful, quiet. Then imagine my father, Andrew,” Ryder began.
He slowly told the story of the last time he saw his father alive.
“He shook me up and spoke softly so as not to wake the two brothers. And he said to me, son, you are the master of this house while I am away. I Please take care of our family, protect my mother and me.” I love you,” he said.
He showed off a white bracelet on his wrist. It was a gift from his father, he says, that helped him through difficult moments in his life.
“He gave each of us a bracelet and called it our better band. ” said Ryder.
Michelle Marisco/KJZZ
The Granite Mountain Hotshot was honored at a ceremony in Prescott on June 30, 2023.
Ann investigation report When the Yarnell Hill fire broke out, the hotshots turned out to be well trained and qualified. It was the largest fire in the area in 45 years, and the surrounding area was in the midst of an eruption. Fire chased them, overtaking them deploying shelters. The temperature reached 200 degrees.
Radio communication was difficult. There was an interval of more than 30 minutes when the crew tried to evacuate to safety.
“We need to support Wildlands Firefighters, especially after the season,” said Scott Briggs, director of operations for the Wildlands Firefighters Foundation.
“Many of them will be pushed aside, but see you next year,” he said.
He has seen some improvement in communication. But the stress of fighting wildfires is extreme. Briggs said significant efforts are now being made to support firefighters in the field as well as at home.
