Prescott, Arizona recently honored the memory of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots, firefighters who tragically perished 11 years ago during the Yarnell Hill Fire. On Sunday, a new memorial sculpture was dedicated at the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. Patrick McCargy expressed his sentiments in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, "It's something we've been working on for 10 years now, and it's been a long journey for everybody, but I hope this project brings a lot of healing, and like our fire chief said, starts the mission of looking forward with a joyous heart."
The courthouse bells tolled 19 times to pay homage to the fallen, a solemn reminder of the lives lost. John Marsh, who attended the ceremony shared his feelings, saying, "It was both sad and very fulfilling to see that the 19 are gonna be honored for many, many years ahead." According to the same report, the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire claimed the crew was sparked by dry lightning, leading to a blaze that consumed over 13 square miles and destroyed 127 buildings. An investigation following the event cited radio communication issues, and later, the Industrial Commission of Arizona imposed a fine on the forestry division for shortcomings in safety practices.
In another community gathering, a Remembrance Event was held at the Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial Park. Residents joined in prayers and the reading of the names of the hotshots, as reported by AZ Family. Marcie and Lewis Theokas, who lost their grandson Garret Zuppiger in the fire, marked the approximate time of the crew's last known communication by ringing a bell and observing a moment of silence. Chief Shawn Bomar of Peeples Valley Fire District noted, "It has been 11 years, and we’ll never forget. And every day, we’ll think about it." The occasion was not just to mourn but also to acknowledge the enduring impact and the heroism of these firefighters.
The lasting legacy of the Granite Mountain Hotshots continues to resonate across the state. The Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park established in 2016 near SR 89 and the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center which opened three years later, keep the narrative of their bravery alive. These sites and memorials serve to educate the public about wildland fires, and, more importantly, the human cost of such devastating events. As the city of Prescott unveiled a new memorial at the Yavapai County Courthouse, Mayor Phil Goode was among the speakers who paid tribute to the fallen, as detailed in a report by AZ Family.
