Remembering The 'Granite Mountain 19'

Photo by Wade Ward/Prescott Firefighter

June 30th marks the three year anniversary of what is perhaps the most tragic single loss of firefighters in US history, when 19 of 20 ‘Granite Mountain Hotshots’ were killed at Yarnell Hill, Arizona.

We invite everyone to consider taking some time today for a ‘moment of silence’ to remember these firefighters, and their families.  This terrible tragedy puts what we’re all doing into proper perspective, and reinforces our unshakeable commitment to do everything humanely possible to see that something like this doesn’t happen in Montana.

This is also a good day to express our thanks to the firefighting community for everything firefighters do to protect our communities.  Thank you all, and please stay safe!

For an excellent new book about this tragic event, please see The Fire Line by Fernanda Santos, Flatiron Books (2016)

– Mike Frost, FireSafe MT Board Member and Whitefish Area FireSafe Council.