Monday, July 01, 2013

19 Firefighters Killed

It is tough to break away from celebrity and gossip, but I think it is just as important to take a minute and honor the 19 firefighters in Arizona who gave their lives fighting a fire. It is the most firefighters killed in a wildfire in 80 years. You have to go back to the Griffith Fire here in LA that killed 29. Of course, the single highest loss of life for firefighters was during 9/11.

These firefighters in Arizona were elite. These were not just guys brought in who usually fight house fires. They only fight wildfires and knew exactly what they were doing, but just got caught up in the fire. All 19 of them had deployed their tent shelters which they are trained to cover themselves with if they are overrun. None of the shelters protected them though and they all died.

28 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:34 AM

    This is so sad. My heart and prayers go out to their families. Isn't there anything that can be done to prevent this from happening again?

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    1. Please proofread. It's a damn wildfire, nothing can be done.

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  2. The ultimate sacrifice may they rest in peace, what a tragedy

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  3. RIP to men more brave than most of us could imagine being.

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  4. The ultimate sacrifice may they rest in peace, what a tragedy

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  5. RIP to these brave men who gave their all.

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  6. Absolutely horrifying. Huge loss for the community, too.

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  7. It broke my heart when I saw the headline this morning.

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  8. Yes, this is so horrifying and beyond comprehension.

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  9. These men were true public servants. I feel their sacrifice here in California because we get fires like this too. Sending love and comfort to their families for this horrible loss. The families are heroes too.

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    1. @FS. I was a student assistant for CDF in college and I can remember anxiety whenever there was a big fire going on. Wasn't so cute working for Smokey the Bear when you'd come to work in the morning hoping that none of those "guys" you knew from the Ranger Stations had been hurt or killed overnight.

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  10. Awful. I have a friend who did this type of firefighting in exactly this area. Her husband does too, apparently he is safe at home thank god. So awful.

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  11. Thank god for these firefighters, and may they all rest in peace.
    Interestingly enough, i read a book few years ago where characyers had to use these protective tents. Called them shake and bakes. Worked for them in novel, but author explained they dont always work.

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  12. It's awful when wildfires turn suddenly and overtake the heroes fighting them. Tragic and a lot of heartbroken families, friends and members of the community and this country. My cousins are volunteer firemen. It's a tough, dangerous and scary job. God bless them for making the ultimate sacrifice. RIP.

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  13. I used to live in Arizona and miss it terribly. Lighting strike fires are a bugger to put out. Usually in very remote and hard to get to locations.

    This broke my heart to hear this late last night. They are true heroes who go to places many run from.

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  14. Kanye, are you listening? These people were important. You are not.

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  15. Anonymous12:32 PM

    real fucking heroes
    risk their lives for us

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  16. My cousin is a firefighter in NV and they're mobilizing to go to AZ. My prayers for their families, it's terrifying not knowing if you'll see your family member again.

    @Iceberg, thank you!

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  17. Heartbreaking. What a horrible way to die. Condolences to their families.

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  18. If you'd like to make a contribution to help with the financial needs of these firefighters' families, here is a good link...

    http://www.gofundme.com/3gan7g

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  19. I think knowing that they were huddled up in those tents all together just trying to wait it out makes it even worse - just horrifying for me :( My heart breaks reading about this

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  20. My Cousin is on the hot shot crew near the utah border..very worried for him.The heat from this weather alone is dangerous.

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  22. My husband's niece lives there and the horse ranch where she worked was totally burned down. I'm so sorry for these people. RIP brave fire fighters.

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  23. Our news broke in about this earlier today--it's horrifying.

    My thoughts are with their families--it is a very tragic loss.

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  24. @Aunt Liddy, I read a book that had wildfire fighters in it, where they used those tents. I think it was by Nevada Barr.

    My heart goes out to the families. I used to work for my local volunteer fire dept, (in a clerical capacity for I'm a chicken) those guys are brave to go out and do what they do.

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  25. Yes! To all the posters above! RIP to those 19 brave, selfless souls and their bereft families who supported them in their heroic lives.

    I say that to everyone who commented above EXCEPT to 'faux' Entel who had the nerve to write '....These were not JUST guys brought in who usually fight house fires....'

    F/U 'Entwhoever You Are Now. I bless, count on and worship ALL fighters and other public servants who rush in when I and my family and friends need help.

    '@Enty' You're a far cry from your original persona. Shame on you for your current incarnation. But i guess you're sitting back w/your big 'pay out' $$$. And all we have left to do is walk out on your current incarnation.

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