Today, June 30, 2019, marks the sixth anniversary of the LODD of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew, who were killed while fighting the Yarnell Hill fire southeast of Prescott, Arizona.
The 20-man crew, the only certified IHC that was part of a municipal fire department (City of Prescott), was trapped in a canyon when the fast-moving flames overran their position. The flames were so intense that their emergency shelters were not enough to protect them.
One man, Brendan McDonough, who was assigned to be the crew’s lookout, was not in the canyon and survived.
Plenty has been written about this event, so I’ll direct you to external links for further reading. Here’s a good start: No Exit
On Saturday, June 29, I visited the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center in Prescott.
Previous episodes of Code 3 on the Hotshots:
Special Report: Remembering the Granite Mountain Hotshots
The Aftermath of the Granite Mountain Hotshots LODD: Dan Fraijo, former Prescott Ariz. Fire Chief
Review: “Only the Brave” a realistic look at 19 heroes’ lives and deaths
Extra: Amanda Marsh on “Only the Brave”