Three Wildland Firefighters Killed

I know that fighting wildfires is dangerous, and I am always saddened to hear that wildland firefighters have died fighting wildfires. I read over the weekend that three wildland firefighters died fighting the Cottonwood wildfire near the Colorado-Utah border. As I write this, according to ABC4 Utah the Cottonwood Fire has burned around 94,000 acres with little or no containment (a direct link to the video may be found below the embedded video.

 I offer my condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the deceased wildland firefighters. 

Direct link to June 29th video from ABC4 Utah

 

June 29th, 2:40 PM update 

On July 29th Wildfire Today has a post identifying the names of the three wildland firefighters who died on the Cottonwood Fire; Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson. Please read the Wildfire Today article for more information about the deceased wildland firefighters.

2025 U.S.A. Wildfire Season: Summary Figures for Year by Category

I am always interested in knowing the number of wildfire incidents and the like for the past year for the United States. However, I admit that until now I did not know where to look for these figures. I again owe a debt of gratitude to my friends at the B10 NJ Wildland Fire Page who recently shared a graphical file from the Wildfire Lessons Learned Center called "Numbers and Lessons" Collected from 2025 Incident Reports. The Numbers and Lessons file is a summary of 2025 incidents that I think will be replaced later by a complete report for 2025 incidents, go to Annual Incident Review Summaries for more information. Please note that at some point you will not see the 2025 Numbers and Lessons report but will see instead a complete report of 2025 incidents. I do note that with the incident numbers by category (entrapment, UTV, chainsaw cuts, driving related. and hit by tree) that there were only 12 fatalities and six of them were from medical causes.

Firefighter fatally shot at Idaho Wildfire Identified

Direct link to video from ABC& on YouTube

Rest in peace Battalion Chief Frank Harwood of the Kootenai County Fire & Rescue Department and John Morrison of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department. I have been praying for you and your families in the aftermath of this tragedy. 

I am praying for the healing of Engineer Dave Tysdal of the Coeur d'Dalene Fire Department who remains in critical condition 

2025 Wildfire Season: Two Firefighters Dead After Responding to Wildfire in Idaho

Direct link to June 29th video from KOMO News on YouTube

I saw a couple of articles last night about two firefighters killed by a gunman after responding to a wildfire in northern Idaho. It seems that the gunman, who was found dead by law enforcement personal, mau have set the wildfire to lure firefighters to the scene. The wildfire which has burned about 26 acres as I write this is still burning. I understand that the gunman was found dead and it is suspected that he was the lone gunman. I subscribe to the Washington Post and the New York Times and both newspapers are covering this fire. Unfortunately I can not easily gift either article to you, but here is CNN's coverage of this incident. Wildfire Today is covering this incident and has a good article that they just updated that you may find here where you may find a link to the 26 minute press conference by Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris that I am embedding below. As we all are, I am deeply saddened by the two firefighters who were killed and those who were injured. I have read about numerous wildfire that were intentionally set, but never something like this where firefighters were shot and killed. I am holding the families and colleagues of those who were killed as well as the injured in my prayers. I understand that the gunman was found dead and it is suspected that he was the lone gunman. 

Rest in Peace Tom Janney

Tom Janney who was my mentor in the first couple of years of my blog on aerial wildland firefighting died on March 9, 2024. Tom, may you rest in peace and fly in favorable winds, My prayers are with your wife Debbie and all of your many friends in the wildland firefighting community and elsewhere loved you. 

I want to take some time in today’s post to share about how Tom mentored me and other ways he helped me.

As some of you know, I first got interested in wildland firefighting in late summer of 2008 and I began to learn on my own about wildland firefighting. Since I had this blog at this time, I began to share what I was learning about wildland firefighting. I knew that if I was to continue to blog on aerial wildand firefighting that I would need some help, so At some point in early 2009 I went to a couple of now defunct wildland firefighting forums on the web sharing about my interest in wildland firefighting and my blog. That is how I first met Tom Janney, who at the time I knew as TL Stein. Tom told me that he used to be a pilot who flew fires in California for what was then known as the California Department of Forestry, now known as CAL FIRE. He told me that he was an aviation historian and offered to help me learn about the world of aerial wildland firefighting. I jumped at his offer to teach and mentor me about aerial wildland firefighting. 

While he had not flown as a pilot in a few years when I met him online in 2009, I knew right away that he was very knowledgeable about aerial wildland firefighting.Tom’s mentorship, especially in the first months after I started to blog on aerial wildland firefighting, was crucial. Over the last couple of days since I learned that Tom had passed, I realized that I could not have made the transition to blogging about aerial wildland firefighting and related issues without Tom’s help. Early on he suggested that I write about some of the different aircraft that were flying fires at the time and he taught me about the use of retardant. He was the one who helped to guide me to reliable websites where I could learn about the aircraft flying fires at that time and just as important he taught both through our correspondence ad  reliable sites some of the basics about aviation that are important.

Tom also facilitated introductions to wildland firefighting pilots that he knew who helped me as I continued to learn, some of these conversations (on and off the record) were the basis for some blog articles on the aircraft they flew. He also encouraged me to reach out to other pilots and those who provide ground support, these contacts were and continue to be very helpful, especially in the first couple of years of my blog.

I mentioned that Tom was an aviation historian, so in the few years that I was doing my blog on aerial wildland firefighting, we discussed aviation history as pertains to wildland firefighting but we also discussed other aspects of aviation history. He referred me to a couple of books and tapes that I purchased as well as referring me to some websites focusing on aviation history in general. His knowledge of aviation history has been very helpful to me not only as I was first learning about aerial wildland firefighting but as I continued to write my blog, I wanted to know more aerial wildland firefighting history.

Perhaps one of the more important things that Tom did for me in addition to his mentoring was to help me be right sized and not write beyond my abilities. That is, while I believe that he recognized and had respect for my research abilities, he knew that I was not any type of wildland firefighter on the ground or in the air. Moreover, he knew that I was not a pilot. He gently explained to me that what I can do on my blog is limited because I am not in the wildland firefighting business. While sometimes difficult, We talked about my being right sized and not writing beyond my abilities. I owe Tom a debt of gratitude for his gentle guidance that helped me to be right sized. He was the first to encourage me to write within my abilities but not the only one.

On a more personal note, as I navigated my way through learning something about general aviation through sitting in on FAA ground school and came to the hard to accept realization that I can never be a licensed pilot, he listened and supported me with understanding. One day as I was especially discouraged over not having a pilots license, I encountered a Red Tailed Hawk sitting on a utility pole and I felt comforted in a way that was hard to explain. I told Tom about this when I got home, he told me that the Hawk was releasing me into their world. That meant a lot to me. We chatted about other aviation related things. 

As time went on and I had been writing the blog for a couple of years, I had more confidence and I was doing more on my own with Tom sitting by quietly. As the years went on, we gradually lost touch, that happens sometimes. We would chat every so often on social media and I saw in one social media platform that we both used how much he was respected and loved by many in the wildland firefighting community and friends.

Tom, I miss you already. However, I know that in your own way that you continue to be with me as I continue to blog about aerial wildland firefighting. You gave me a couple of aviation related tokens that I treasure even more now that you are gone. May you rest in peace and fly in favorable winds. 

Jeffrey Scheuerer, NJ Forest Fire Service, memorial dedication on tenth anniversary of his death

 

On March 28, 2013 Jeffrey Scheuerer (District Warden, NJFFS Division A, Section 8, District 6)  died while working on prescribed burn in Round Valley Reservation (Clinton Township, Hunterdon County NJ) with other members of the NJFFS when he died from injuries sustained when he was struck by a motor vehicle. 

This is the tenth anniversary of Jeffrey’s death. There is a memorial in his honor at Round Valley Reservation that was dedicated on March 26th. To see more photos of the dedication, you may want to go the

Jeffrey, your service will not be forgotten, I remember you every time I go to Round Valley. I offer my prayers for your family, friends, members of your firefighting community and all those who loved you. May you rest in peace.

RIP Bill Gabbert

I began this blog in 2006 and started to use this blog to explore my then new interest in wildfires in the later months of 2008. In early 2009, thanks to a couple of friends I met who took an interest in me and my explorations in wildfires, I began to learn more about how airplanes are used to fight wildfires. I believe it was sometime in early 2009 that I first learned of Bill Gabbert's Wildfire Today and knew that he had been a wildland firefighter. It was about three years later that Bill began Fire Aviation. 

Bill Gabbert passed away in his sleep on January 14th, his family started a tribute wall where you can go and read his obituary and offer a tribute. While Wildfire Today and Fire Aviation are near the top of my list of go-to places to get up to date news on the news of current wildfires, current news affecting the wildfire community, and fire aviation, as sometimes happens I went a few days where I had not read either website. So, I only learned some what belatedly that Bill had passed. 

I did know that there were fewer posts in the later days of November 2022 and a couple of posts by guest writers in the first week of December. I thought it some what odd because Bill rarely let a day go by without posting either on Wildfire Today or Fire Aviation. I learned the reason from this December 9th on Wildfire Today; Bill had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2022. His illness progressed and he knew his condition was incurable. I made a brief about Bill's diagnosis and the changes in Wildfire Today and Fire Aviation on December16th. As evidenced by the Wildfire Today and the Fire Aviation sites, Bill was deeply committed to the wildfire community and wanted the two sites to continue, so he gave the rights to both sites to the International Association of Wildland Fire. Those of you who have not read the December 9th post on Wildfire Today -- also posted on Fire Aviation around the same time -- may want to read that article for more information on the transition.

I had no idea that Bill would pass so quickly, so I admit that I was caught unawares when I learned that Bill had passed. When I first learned of Wildfire Today I went there frequently to learn from Bill about how wildfires are fought and also to learn about the wildland firefighting community, both those on the ground and in the air as well as those behind the scenes. I am very grateful for Bill's writing offering me a chance to learn from someone who had been a wildland firefighter. As time went on I relied more and more on Wildfire Today, not only for Bill's writing and his point of view but also because he had access to information and people in the wildfire community that I did not have. In addition, I grew to appreciate that Bill was (and is) very well respected by the members of the larger wildfire community.

When he started Fire Aviation in 2012, I read that site as well and while my interest in the use of aerial resources to help the firefighters on the ground fight wildfires, I knew early on that I could learn more about fire aviation from Bill. I marveled at his ability to distill the changes in tanker and helicopter (U.S.) federal contracts. Not only to distill this information which was at times complicated, but to provide data and tables which this geek loved. I loved the photos and videos that he shared.

I was never a wildland firefighter nor was I ever a structure firefighter. I have never been a pilot. I understand what that means. I will always be grateful to Bill's writing for giving me a peek into the wildland firefighting community which I could not have otherwise. I may not be a member of the wildland firefighting community but be assured that I care passionately about what all of you in the wildland firefighting do, thanks to Bill for allowing my to observe.

Thank-you Bill for all you taught me over the years. I will miss you and your unique style. I know that the International Association of Wildland Fire will continue what you started with Wildfire Today and Fire Aviation, I have enjoyed their articles and look forward to reading more as time goes on. Over the years, I have seen some sites that were on my go-to list disappear, and thanks to you giving the rights to both sites to the International Association of Wildland Fire, both sites and your legacy will continue.

I offer my condolences to his family, and all in the wildfire community and beyond who love Bill. 

RIP Granite Mountain Hotshots June 30 2013

Obtained on June 30, 2020 from https://azstateparks.com/hotshots/the-hotshots/about-the-hotshots

The tragic loss of nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire near Prescott, Arizona on the afternoon of June 30, 2013 is seared in my memory because I got an e-mail from a family member who was visiting Prescott, they sent me a photo of a tanker dropping on the fire. It was later that day that I heard about the tragic loss of sixteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. I wondered about the timing of the photo that I received. I will never know. My family member was stunned when they heard about the deaths.

So, I pause today to remember the loss of the Granite Mountain Hotshots that day. I pray for all who died that day and their families, friends, and all who loved them. I remember the lone survivor Brandon McDonough.

Remembering fallen wildfighters: 2018 thru June 30, 2019

As I was writing about the fallen firefighters of: Storm King Mountain, T-11, C-130 MAFFs, and the Granite Mountain Hotshots; I found myself thinking about the individuals who died in 2018 and the first half of 2019. Only one incident saw two deaths. So with this post I pause to remember those wildland firefighters. I got the information for this post from Always Remember. Links are provided for each fallen wildland firefighter to a page on Always Remember.

• Anthony Colacino, April 21, 2018 from the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation while on a training hike.
• Braden Varney, July 14, 2018. Joint CAL FIRE and U.S. Forest Service, heavy equipment operator for hire, Ferguson Fire in the Sierra National Forest.
• July 26, 2018 at the Carr Fire (CA): Don Ray Smith, CAL FIRE dozer operator, private dozer for hire; and Jeremy Stoke, fire inspector, Redding Fire Department.
• Andrew Brake, August 9, 2018 at the Carr Fire (CA) heavy equipment mechanic, firefighter, CAL FIRE.
• Matthew Burchett, August 13, 2018; One of five firefighters from the Draper City Utah Fire Department deployed to the Mendicino Complex (CA).
• Eric Christopher "Chris" Aarseth, September 4, 2018. firefighter II. Miller Timber Services, Inc. Chris was released from the Horns Mountain Fire near Northrop Washington on August 27th. He was found unresponsive at his home on August 28th and died on September 4th, possibly from an infection which became septic. As he may have been exposed while working the fire, his death has been tentatively categorized as a line of duty death. 
• Daniel Laird, March 27, 2019. A-Star 350 helicopter, Helitack Capitan from the Tahoe National Forest in California. The A-Star 350 helicopter Daniel was riding in crashed while doing aerial ignition for routine controlled burn at Sam Houston National Forest in Montgomery County, TX. 

Please pause for a moment and join me in remembering Anthony, Braden, Jeremy, Andrew, Matthew, Chris, and Daniel and the family, friends and colleagues they left behind. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten

Remembering fallen wildland firefighters: Storm King, T-11, MAFFs, and Granite Mountain Hotshots

This is the time of year when I find myself remember a couple of fatal air tanker crashes and incidents where several wildland firefighters died. I will write some remembrances in honor of fallen wildland firefighters in two parts, part two should post on Friday, July 12th.

On July 6, 1994 I was not writing about wildland firefighting but I suspect that the death of 14 wildland firefighters while fighting the South Canyon Fire on Storm King Mountain in Colorado made the national news. However, when I was first getting interested in wildland firefighting in the fall of 2008, I read about the South Canyon Fire in John MacLean's Fire on the Mountain: The True Story of the South Canyon Fire. Maclean's writing of the South Canyon fire and the death of the fourteen firefighters made an impression on me. In addition, over the years, I have read about the fourteen deaths at the South Canyon Fire in various places on the internet. With July 6th being the 25th anniversary, I can not help but be reminded of the fourteen who died, Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today wrote a great July 6th article on the 14 deaths on Storm King Mountain with videos and other links, check it out.

There were other incidents with fatalities that happened in June or July since I have been writing this blog. There were the two air tanker crashes in 2012, the crash of T-11 on June 4th while working the White Rock Fire near Hamblin Valley Utah, and the July 2, 2012 crash of a C-130 MAFFs from the North Caroline Air National Guard 145th Aircraft Wing while flying the White Draw Fire near Edgemont SD (see my July 2, and July 3, 2012 articles)

Finally, there are the June 30, 2013 deaths of nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots out of Prescott Arizona while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire (near Prescott). One of my family members was in Prescott Arizona when the ninteteen wildland firefighters died, she sent me some photos of a tribute that I shared on July 2, 2013. Bill Gabbert covered the sixth anniversary of the loss of nineteen Granite Mountain Hotshots in a June 30, 2016 post.

Please join me in pausing and remembering those who died in these incidents and the loved ones, friends and colleagues they left behind.

I remember,your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

South Canyon Fire, Storm King Mountain
Prineville Hotshots: Kathi Beck, Tamera Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Douglas Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso.
Missoula Smokejumper: Don Mackey
McCall Smokejumpers: Roger Roth, Jim Thrash.
Helitack: Robert Browning, Jr., Richard Tyler.

Tanker 11
Todd Neal Tompkins, pilot
Ron Edwin Chambless, co-pilot

C-130 MAFFS, North Carolina Air National Guard, 145 Aircraft Wing
Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal (pronounced like "Michael")
Maj. Joseph M. McCormick
Maj. Ryan S. David (pronounced da-veed)
Senior Master Sgt. Robert S. Cannon

Granite Mountain Hotshots, Yarnell Hill Fire
Andrew Ashcraft
Robert Caldwell
Travis Carter
Dustin Deford,
Christopher MacKenzie
Eric Marsh
Grant McKee
Sean Misner
Scott Norris
Wade Parker
John Percin
Anthony Rose
Jesse Steed
Joe Thurston
Travis Turbyfill
William Warneke
Clayton Whitted
Kevin Woyjeck
Garret Zuppiger

Wildland Firefighter Fatalities (2016) - RIP

The recent death of Ryan Osler (38) on September 21st when a water tender rolled over en route to the Canyon Fire on Vandenberg Airbase is a reminder that wildland firefighter, and any firefighting for that matter, is dangerous.

There are always a number of wildland firefighter deaths each year in the United States and around the world and 2016 year to date is no exception. Always Remember, a site that "provides a permanent location to collect, organize, maintain, preserve, and share current and historical incidents in which wildland firefighters lost their lives, to remember our fallen firefighters, their contributions, and the lessons learned from their lives or in their passing (obtained from Always Remember on September 23, 2016)." I went to Always Remember just now to see who has died in 2016 (as of September 23, 2016). Always Remember maintains a list of wildland firefighters (by incident) who have died in the United States, with the latest on top, that may be found on the Always Remember Incident Page.

Please join me in remembering each of these fallen wildland firefighters who died to keep us safe, prayers for their families, friends, colleagues, and all who love them. May you all Rest in Peace. Thank-you for your service.

• Shawana Jones (22) died on February 26. 2016 on a small wildfire in the Santa Monica National Recreation Area.
• Jacob O'Malley (27) and Will Hawkins (22) died on July 10, 2016 died when their BLM vehicle rolled while returning from wildfire patrol duty near Denlo Nevada.
• Charles Waterbury (56) died on July 24, 2016 after suffering from a medical emergency while fighting a wildfire near Lyme New Hampshire.
• Robert Reagan (35) died on July 26, 2016 when the Bull Dozer he was driving while working the Soberanes Fire (Monterey County, CA) rolled over.
• Justin Beebe (26) died on August 13, 2016 died in tree felling accident while his Hotshot crew, the Lolo Interagency Hotshot Crew was working the Straberry Fire (Great Basin National Park in Nevada).
• Ian Howard (36) died of unknown causes during the night of August 20-21, 2016. His engine crew was positioned to work a wildfire on the Mendocino National Forest (near the Paskenta Work Center).
• Alan Swartz (25) and Jimmy Shelifoe (23) members of the Beartown (Michigan) Firefighter Crew died on August 27, 2016 when their crew transport vehicle was in a motor vehicle accident in Minnesota. The Beartown Firefighter Crew was on their way to the Box Canyon Fire in Utah.
• Ryan Osler (38) of the Ventura County CA Fire Department died on September 21, 2016 when his water tender rolled over en route to the Canyon Fire on Vandenberg Airbase.

Wildland firefighters who died near Twsip WA identified

On August 20th I wrote about the tragic deaths of three wildland firefighters near Twsip WA on Aug 19th. Those who lost their lives are:

• Tom Zbszewski, age 20
• Andrew Zajac. age 26
• Richard Wheeler, age 31

Daniel Lyon (age 25) was critically injured and is being cared for at Seattle hospital.

You may read a August 20th report from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center about the identities of the deceased and the injured here. The Seattle Times wrote about the Zbszewski, Zajac, and Wheeler (as well as an update on Lyons injuries) in this August 20th article with photos (updated on August 23rd).

direct link to video

Rest in Peace. Your sacrifice won't be forgotten, prayers for your families, friends and colleagues. Heal well Daniel Lyon, prayers for your recovery.

Three wildland firefighters die near Twisp WA

It is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences to the families, friends, colleagues, and all who loved the three wildland firefighters that died yesterday fighting a wildfire near Twsip, Washington. I understand the four firefighters are injured, at least one critically, prayers for the injured and their families. See this Seattle Times article (last updated August 20th at 7AM PDT) for more information on this tragedy, a map of the area, some fire photos, and coverage of other wildfires.

RIP

RIP: two dead in March 30th crash of USFS contracted Bell 206L-1

A Bell 206 L-1 Helicopter crashed on Monday afternoon March 30th while working an 800-acre prescribed burn 25 miles west of Biloxi, Mississippi. The crew of the Bell was performing aerial ignition operations on the prescribed fire in the DeSoto National Forest when the crash occurred. The Bell had one pilot and additional crew of two US Forest Service firefighters. Two died and one crew survived. The surviving crew member was flown by a Life Flight Helicopter to a Medical Center in Mobile, Alabama where is currently in serious condition. See Always Remember (includes links to media reports and other information) for more information.

Gone but not forgotten are:

Brandon Ricks, pilot, 40 years old from Blanchard, OK.

Steven W. Cobb, US Forest Service Engineering Technician, 55 years old from Wiggins, MS.

Brandon and Steven, I know that you are loved by your family, friends, and colleagues who miss you and mourn your loss. Please know that many of us who don’t know you join them in mourning your loss.  May you always fly in favorable tail winds. My thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, colleagues and all who love you.

My thoughts and prayers are with the surviving crew member and his family and friends as he continues to recover from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

Station Fire - 5 years later - Remembering Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones

A little over five years ago, on August 30, 2009, I was following the Station Fire (latest post is first). One of my good buddies had told me that Los Angeles TV news outlets where showing live stream over the Station Fire from news helos that were flying over the fire.

Sadly, one of the first live streams that I saw were aerial shots from the news helo in the area where a tragic accident occurred that resulted in the death of two fire fighters: Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones. There is a nice page devoted to Ted and Arnie and the incident that took their lives on Always Remember.

As the five year anniversary of the Station Fire rolled around, I found myself thinking (again) about Ted and Arnie. So, in sharing my reflections of the Station Fire with you, I start be remembering Ted and Arnie. And remembering Ted and Arnie's families, friends, colleagues and all who knew and loved them.

About grass fires

Over the course of the years that I have been writing about aerial wildland firefighting, I have heard a lot about grass fires. So, when this video came across my desk a couple of weeks ago, I knew that I had to watch this 25 minute  training video from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center. I have a new appreciation for the dangers of wildland firefighting, whether a grass fire or a fire in another fuel. In addition to learning how wildland firefighters stay safe while fighting grass fires, you will hear about an entrapment that did not have a good outcome and you hear from another wildland firefighter who was burned in a grass fire share his experiences.I share it here out of respect for what all wildland firefighters do to help protect us from wildfires.

direct link to video

New Hampshire Wildland Firefighters honor fallen AZ and CO wildland firefighters

A report from WMUR in New Hampshire came across my desk yesterday. Wildland Firefighters in New Hampshire honored the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots (Yarnell Hill) this past Monday, and will honor the  14 fallen South Canyon wildland firefighters on July 6. It was not my intention to post another tribute, as I made my tribute the other day. I have strong ties to New England, so I was very touched when I read the report and watched the video (which I can not embed here). So, I wanted to share the report with you. If you are so inclined, please take about three minutes to watch the video and read the report.

WMUR on honoring 19 who died at Yarnell Hill

For all of you traveling the coming holiday weekend here in America, stay safe.

I remember fallen firefighters

Today I am pausing to remember all wildland firefighters, on the ground and in the air, who have died in the line of duty. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. You died leaving family, friends, and colleagues who loved you. You died working to keep us safe from wildfires. I remember you and those you left behind -- your family, friends, and colleagues.

Among those wildland firefighters who died the week of July 1 to July 7 since 2000 are:

• Alan Wyatt July 2, 2002, age 51, Missionary Ridge Fire (OR)
• Raymond Peterman age 62, Incident date- July 4, 2003 (heart attack), died on Jan 17, 2004 from complications following triple bypass surgery
• Dennise Leslie on July 2, 2007, Age 37, Coal City Community Volunteer FD, IN
• John Hermo on July 7, 2008, age 33, drowning while assigned to the Hells Half Complex (CA)
• Robert Roland on July 2, 2008, age 63, Oso Fire (CA).
• Caleb Hamm, on July 7, 2011, age 23, CR 337 Fire, TX. 

And those incidents over the last twenty years where multiple wildland firefighters lost their lives this week (June 30 to July 6)

AZ Yarnell Hill 19 on June 30, 2013

• Andrew Ashcraft, age 29
• Robert Caldwell, age 23
• Travis Carter, age 31
• Dustin Deford, age 24
• Christopher MacKenzie, age 30
• Eric Marsh, age 43
• Grant McKee, age 21
• Sean Misner, age 26
• Scott Norris, age 28
• Wade Parker, age 22
• John Percin, age 24
• Anthony Rose, age 23
• Jesse Steed, age 36
• Joe Thurston, age 32
• Travis Turbyfill, age 27
• William Warneke,age 25
• Clayton Whitted, age 28
• Kevin Woyjeck, age 21
• Garret Zuppiger, age 27

SD MAFFS 7 (4 lives lost, 2 survivors) on July 1, 2012. The four who lost their lives are:

• Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal, age 42
• Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, age 36
• Maj. Ryan S. David, age 35
• Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon, age 50

South Canyon / Storm King CO (14 lives lost) on July 6, 1994

• Kathi Julie Beck, age 24
• Tamera "Tami" Jean Bickett, age 25 
• Scott A. Blecha, age 27
• Robert E. Browning Jr., age 28
• Levi Brinkley, age 22  
• Douglas Michael Dunbar, age 22 
• Terri Ann Hagen, age 28 
• Bonnie Jean Holtby, age 21

• Robert Alan Johnson, age 26 
• Jon Roy Kelso, age 27
• Donald K. Mackey, age 34 
• Roger W. Roth, age 31 
• James R. Thrash, age 44
• Richard Tyler, age 33

Note: I referenced Always Remembered in compiling the list of the fallen that I mention here.

Pausing and remembering the Yarnell Hill 19

direct link to video from Envenomator1 on youtube

For reasons that I don't need to go into, I found myself reflecting this past weekend on the tragic loss of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots. So, I post this short video in memory of the 19 members of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots who died fighting the Yarnell Hills Fire on June 30, 2013.

RIP - I will never forget you

Where to go for info on Granite MT Hotshot Memorials

I was not able to be present in Prescott Arizona for Sunday's escort or for today's memorial service, but Bill Gabbert of Wildfire Today has been on scene. For example, he posted on Sunday with some photos he took of the escort, behind the scenes preparations yesterday for the memorial. This morning he posted some photos from the arena where the memorial was held including a link for the program from the memorial. I expect that he will be writing later today about the memorial service.

Other places where you might find coverage would be The Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial on Facebook (public) and In Memory of Prescott Firefighters Lost 6/30/2013.

Update July 9, 6:25 PM Just found a link from the CSPAN archives with an archive of what is supposed to be the entire 3 hour memorial service, go to this page.