12 years later: Remembering the Granite Mountain Hotshots
The big picture: It was the largest loss of life among U.S. firefighters since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The blaze consumed 8,300 acres and destroyed nearly 130 structures in and around Yarnell, a small town with a population of about 700 people.
More than a decade later, much of the burn scar has healed, homes have been rebuilt and memorials erected to honor the fallen firefighters — but the tragedy remains a cornerstone of Yarnell's identity and a reminder of the community's resilience.
Catch up quick: A lightning strike ignited the fire in the drought-stricken terrain on June 28, 2013.
On June 30, a dramatic and unexpected wind shift sent the flames roaring south at a pace three times faster than had previously been recorded, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.
All but one of the 20 Granite Mountain Hotshots — a wildfire crew within the Prescott Fire Department — were cut off from their escape routes and engulfed by the fire.
The intrigue: Despite the significant loss of life and property, FEMA denied Arizona's request for a major disaster declaration, which would have opened federal funding for property owners with damage or destruction.
FEMA said "the damage was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the combined capabilities of the state, affected local governments and voluntary agencies."
Between the lines: The state and local governments provided some assistance, but the bulk of the recovery fell largely on the shoulders of the private sector and individual donors.
Private donations covered the rebuilding of the 30 uninsured homes destroyed by the fire.
The 100 Club of Arizona raised $4.6 million that was distributed to the families of the deceased firefighters, The Arizona Republic reported.
Other charitable organizations, including the Arizona Community Foundation and Yavapai County Community Foundation, provided much of the immediate financial support for the town's recovery.
💭 Our thought bubble: The Arizona community showed the very best version of itself in the weeks and months after the Yarnell Hill Fire.
From neighbors opening their homes to those who'd lost everything to strangers opening their pocketbooks to help a small town many Arizonans had never heard of before the fire — the entire state rallied to ease the community's pain.
The bottom line: The Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center opened in Prescott in 2018.
It has exhibits honoring the Yarnell 19, including a display of some of the items left at memorials for the hotshots in the weeks following their deaths, and hosts educational workshops to help homeowners prevent wildfire risks.
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