In the Prescott, Arizona area, a massive wildfire has claimed the lives of 19 firefighters. Their average age is 22. http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/22726613/2013/06/30/yarnell-hill-wildfire-grows-to-almost-1000-acres

This is said to be the highest death toll of firefighters since the Twin Towers.

Instinct tells us to run from fire.  The brave men and women of the fire service run toward it instead.

Thoughts and prayers, please.

1 COMMENT

  1. Thank you for remembering the fallen 19 firefighters. As a structural firefighter on the east coast, I’ve always been amazed at what those hotshot firefighters do with so little. Thoughts & prayers to the 19 and their family & friends. Peace.

  3. As a disability retired firefighter, wanted to express my thanks for your words. They are so very true. Thoughts and prayers to the families of those 19 brave souls

  4. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Families of these brave Firefighters. Rest in Peace Guys…..

  5. Since both Ruger manufacturing and Gunsite are in Prescott AZ I would not be surprised to hear of a connection between the gun family and some of these brave firefighters. Very sad indeed.

    I had a buddy who fought the Long Island NY fires in the pine barrens about a dozen or so years ago. He said in 20 years as a volunteer firefighter responding to house fires, car accidents etc, NOTHING compared to the it. Zero visibility, red glow 360 degrees around him. He and his crew got caught and lost their truck when the fire jumped across the main highway. And that was 1/100th of what is out in AZ. These forest fire guys out West are the best of the best. It takes all that youth can give them to do that job. God bless those who gave their all.

  6. Truly sad to lose the best of the best, but we have. Thoughts and prayers for the families and the Fire Service out there.

  8. Just hard to digest the depth of this tragic and sad event. May each of them RIP. They all will be remembered for their heroism. A huge tragedy for the country.

  10. My wife told me about this tragedy this afternoon. We have a large fireman’s training center here in College Station so we have a plethora of firefighters here in July and August for training. Their courage is undeniable and it is much too frequent that we hear of their death in the line of duty. We certainly will keep the Arizona firefighters in our prayers.

  11. God bless their souls.

    Before the bodies of these brave firefighters even cooled the liberals blamed their deaths and the fire on global warming. What ever happened to respect?

  12. God Bless the Hotshots who gave their lives to protect their neighbors! Thank God America still produces these brave heros! God Bless and comfort their families!

  13. God is with them, and his mercy comforts their giving souls. I thank them for what they have sacrificed in the name of of the people they swore to protect. May there be many who respect their sacrifice and are willing to step into the breach as they have. They are the merciful protectors of all of our lives.
    Guy Hawkins

  14. And some gave all… From a Michigan firefighter… May God bless them and their families. Such a terrible tragedy and loss.

  15. Fire is one of the most fears we have; and it’s the most horrible death there is. To willing go towards an inferno takes a unique type of courage.

    Unlikely as it is, given the situation, one can only hope that they somehow succumbed to smoke inhalation before the flames got to them.

  16. Thanks. Please remember the crews still fighting that fire in your prayers. It has doubled in size since the Hot Shot crew perished.

  17. We were also so shocked to hear of this tragedy! Our prayers are certainly with the grieving families. It brings it closer to home when my youngest son, David, wanted to become a Hotshot while we were living in Montana and had close friends who were both firefighters for the DNR. It brings shivers when we think “what if….”

  18. Those of us who spent our lives devoted to “…march[ing] to the sound of the guns…” have the utmost respect for those who move into the fire. Unlike a human enemy, fire is remorseless, merciless, and won’t suffer a malfunction. As long as it has fuel to burn and wind to move it, it will destroy anything living in its path.

    St. Florian guide those brave souls home to the Father.

    ECS

  19. True American hero’s who sacrificed for there fellow man. We will never forget them. My deepest condolences and prayers are extended to all the families of these brave dedicated firefighters. May they all rest in eternal peace with the Lord.