When I think about the June 30, 2013 tragedy where 19 firefighters were killed battling a fire near Yarnell, Arizona, I remember Abraham Lincoln’s Address as he and others dedicated a military cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where thousands of soldiers died almost exactly 155 years ago, July 1-3, 1863, in what has been described as the turning point of the Civil War. We don’t even know for sure the number killed, with estimates ranging from 7,000 to 8,000.
The President was honoring those who were killed in the battle. The men fought each other, the North vs. the South. Wildland firefighters, thankfully, don’t fight each other, but there are similarities between fighting wars and fighting wildfires.
That day in 1863 the President said in part:
“…It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”
It is difficult to find positive outcomes in a mass casualty incident like the Yarnell Hill Fire. But one thing that is doable, is to at least learn some lessons, and more importantly, use them to take action to reduce the number of fatalities on wildland fires. We will never eliminate all risks of firefighting, but proactive management locally, at the national level within the agencies, and in Congress, can make a difference.
Excerpt from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
“…Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Any firefighter is a hero of the highest level. The leaders were indeed taking the team to the safety point, the ranch in the valley. But a wall of fire turned and rushed in front of them, boxing them in. They perished only 600 yards from the safety point. While I am sure that the bosses in question who sent them back out to yet another fire find it very hard to live with, I am also sure no one could’ve stopped them from going. This was home, and they wanted to save their towns, families, and neighbors.
I am continually amazed at the repeated attempts to label the GMHS as “national heroes.” Now giving them the equivalent status of Civil War heroes is misplaced.
Yes indeed, it was an epic tragic event. And it was also avoidable. Their bosses knew better. The heroes on the YH Fire were the several Rookies that trusted their supervisors to lead them to safety.
Thanks for the article on the Granite Mountain Hotshots. My sons are/were hotshots and the Yarnell fire reminds us of how dangerous and demanding this occupation is. My thoughts are with the families of victims of this tragedy. No one can imagine the loss and pain they suffer.
Very good article,Bill and thank you for reminding us of the Yarnell tragedy.
Thank you, Bill. Excellent reminder and comparison ..
Thanks for writing and sharing this article. This truly was a dark day in the history of Wildland Fire.
As a history major, I can’t help but point out two minor mistakes:
-the battle was fought in 1863, not 1963.
-You are correct in asserting that there is no truly accurate casualty count. However the estimates are almost double, in the 45,000-51,000 range for both sides for the battle.
I fixed the obvious date typo and revised the numbers to include only deaths.
Seriously? That’s all you got?