19 firefighters killed today in Arizona south of Prescott

[Cotton Mouth]

speechless

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada-and-west/19-hot-shot-firefighters-die-central-arizona-wildfire

[Patrick]

Speechless, yes sir. My gosh, what a tragedy. What a way to go.

[Dave Ritsema]

Tragedy beyond words...

19 brave souls made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others.

Godspeed and prayers for the family and friends that are mourning this terrible loss.

Thank You brothers for your service and your sacrifice.

[DIGGER]

Soooo sad.....God bless their souls.      Manoman.....they had time to think about it as they saw it coming.   Again, so sad......God bless their souls.

[sandy]

Our local news covered this in depth last night. We're all mourning here today. Yarnell is at the top of a favorite ride here. The restaurant in Yarnell is popular and this morning there was a shot of it with huge flames in the background. Last night the fire was at 2000 acres. When I woke up, it had grown to 8000 acres. No containment so far.

[old2soon]

When I was a LOT younger I was a volunteer fire fighter. My prayers to the families in their time of need due to this tragedy. Seems like we lose some to these bigger wild fires every season. May they rest in peace in Heaven.

[Michael K (Az.)]

As Sandy said, one of our favorite rides in the Phoenix Area. Very sad.

[Hooter]

   Not a good year for the brotherhood!   I've been in the fire service since 81 and am now chief of the station my grandfather was chief of. Its and honor to serve. These things are tough! I've only had one of my personnel die, but not in the line of duty. He was murdered by his Xs new husband,   Even though not a line of dury death I organized a full service funeral.  been part of the cermony. I was proud to do this for him, his family and our department. I can't imagine the magnitude of something like this!   ???
   We accept that this can happen anytime, but never expect it will. We try to explain these things to our families, but they live with the fear that this is possible every time the tones drop. My heart goes out to all the families. It is indeed a sad time.

[IamGCW]

Some years ago I surveyed the mountains near and around Prescott for possible antenna locations (FAA ATC).  One location was remote enough we brought lunch and lacking the correct code to open locked gates we hiked the last few miles.  After surveying the site a Forest Ranger truck drove up. A very pretty young lady climbed out and verified our ID's.  As we finished our lunch and completed the survey we chatted with her.  She was a smoke jumper and gave us help with the next few sites.  Without a doubt she had her dream job and we all were impressed with her.  A sad loss any firefighter, but based on meeting one from the Prescott area without a doubt this is very sad news for me.  And the fire continues, my thought are always with them.  Hopefully she is safe. 

A very good looking, in great shape, professional Ranger/Smoke Jumper.

[Patrick]

He was murdered by his Xs new husband,
end quote


Geeez, thats a bit extreme !

[sandy]

An article and photos of the fire.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/30/arizona-wildfire-yarnell_n_3526934.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl13%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D338768#slide=2640538

[fudgie]

Very sad. 
I know a few guys that go west every summer for a few months to fight these. Hope they are ok.

Been a Vol FF since 95-96 and love field/wildland fires. Also the most dangerous ones to fight, imho. Thought I was a gonner a few yrs ago fighting one.

[Hooter]

He was murdered by his Xs new husband,
end quote


Geeez, thats a bit extreme !

   Fight over custody of the kids. Jumped him from behind a dumpster and stabbed him several times. Threw him in his own pickup, drove it to a gravel pit and set it on fire. They figure he was still alive when the truck was set on fire. The new husband and xwife got life for the murder. So we are paying for these two to live. Guess they didn't get the kids after all.....Great plan! It really sucked!!!