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Week of Remembrance

2023 WOR: Yarnell Hill Fire 10-Year Anniversary

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Yarnell Hill Fire 10-Year Anniversary

Today’s topic is dedicated to all fallen wildland firefighters. 
May we never stop learning.

 

On June 30, 2013, at 4:42 p.m., nineteen firefighters were killed on the Yarnell Hill fire in Arizona. The Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) from the Prescott Fire Department was working on the south end of the fire, west of Yarnell, Arizona, when they were overrun.

“Yeah, I’m here with Granite Mountain Hotshots. Our escape route has been cut off. We are preparing a deployment site, and we are burning out around ourselves in the brush, and I’ll give you a call when we are under the ...shelters.”
—Eric Marsh, Granite Mountain Superintendent

The fire had a spread rate of 10 to 12 mph and cut off their escape route as the crew transitioned through unburned fuel from their lunch spot in the black to a local ranch that needed protection.

After quickly improving their deployment site and deploying their shelters close together, the fire overtook them. Unfortunately, the deployment site, located in a box canyon with heavy brush, caused direct flame contact to the shelters with temperatures of approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. One crewmember, the lookout, was not with the crew at the time of their entrapment and was safely transported out of the area by another IHC.

Collaboration with several committees and agencies occurred following the accident to develop a Yarnell Hill Fire Serious Accident Investigation Team (SAIT) and a subsequent report. The report concentrated on helping wildland firefighters of the present and future learn from the tragedy through sense-making, reviewing decision points, and a video. This helped firefighters visualize what happened and how to best learn from the loss of the Granite Mountain IHC members. One recommendation from the report was that the State of Arizona lead an interagency effort to develop a Yarnell Hill Fire staff ride. The first staff ride of this incident began in 2017 and continues to provide lessons for upcoming firefighters while also remembering the members of Granite Mountain Hotshots.

 
This is our history. Learn from it today. Use it tomorrow.

Action and Discussion Items:

  • Watch the Yarnell Hill Fire briefing video provided in the resources section. After watching the video, discuss the events and ideas relayed in the video as a group. Discuss where you were when this incident occurred. Do you remember your initial feelings after hearing about the 19 fatalities? How has this incident changed your perspective after 10 years? Have you changed how you engage in tactics because of Yarnell Hill?
  • Look for staff rides near you that you can attend. They don’t need to be on a fire, (e.g., Gettysburg, Little Bighorn).
  • If you have been on a staff ride, discuss what it was like and the impact it had on you. If you participated in a staff ride outside of fire, how can you apply these lessons to wildland fire?
  • Honor and remember the lives of fallen firefighters throughout this week. Keep talking about these events and what has happened to bring change. Keep moving forward by implementing and learning these lessons.

Resources:

 

Category
Week of Remembrance

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NWCG Latest Announcements

NEW! S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) Now Available

Date: Sept 11, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fuels Management Committee 

The S-219, Firing Operations (Blended) course is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. Developed through the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) effort, this training supports individuals working towards Firing Boss, Single Resource (FIRB) incident qualifications.

This blended course combines online and instructor-led training to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the FIRB, as described in the NWCG Incident Position Standards for Firing Boss, Single Resource, PMS 350-105.

Any changes to qualification pathways will take effect with the next update of the NWCG Standards for Wildland Fire Position Qualifications, PMS 310-1, scheduled for January 2026.

References:

S-219, Firing Operations (Blended)

NWCG Firing Boss, Single Resource Position Page

Wildland Fire Learning Portal

NWCG Committees Observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Week: September 7-13, 2025

Date: Sep 5, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Mental Health Subcommittee

The NWCG Mental Health Subcommittee (MHSC) and Risk Management Committee (RMC) recognize the unique challenges and demands faced by the wildland fire community. The MHSC and RMC know that we are all stronger together and believe in fostering a culture of support, understanding, and resilience.

Suicide Prevention Awareness encourages us to actively connect with and support each other. For more information that could make a difference for yourself or someone else please review the materials and resources provided for the 2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.

References:

2025 Suicide Prevention Awareness Week Materials and Resources

NEW! Incident Performance and Training Modernization Story Map Now Available

Date: Aug 26, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
National Wildfire Coordinating Group

NWCG is excited to announce the launch of the Incident Performance and Training Modernization (IPTM) Story Map, a new interactive resource that showcases how NWCG is transforming wildland fire training and qualifications through a performance-based system.

Since its launch in 2023, IPTM has made major strides in updating how we manage incident positions:

  • 36 incident positions now have new Incident Position Standards and Next Generation Position Task Books available for field use
  • 6 more incident positions are nearing completion
  • 111 total incident positions are being analyzed through the IPTM initiative

The Story Map guides you through the IPTM process, highlights key accomplishments, and outlines what’s ahead. Whether you are a trainer or a trainee, this tool offers valuable insight into the modernization effort shaping the future of wildland fire training and qualifications.

This effort would not be possible without the contributions of NWCG staff, NWCG committees, and hundreds of subject matter experts across the wildland fire community.

References:

IPTM Story Map

Incident Performance and Training Modernization Webpage

NEW! S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) Available Now

Date: Aug 15, 2025
Questions? Please contact:
Fire Behavior Subcommittee

NWCG is excited to announce that the S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended) training is now available on the Wildland Fire Learning Portal. S-290 (Blended) training combines online training and instructor-led training components that support individuals working towards any Single Resource Boss or Fire Effects Monitor incident qualifications.

This second course in the series collectively serves to develop fire behavior prediction knowledge and skills, and provides more detailed information on fuels, weather, and topography that affect wildland fire behavior for safety purposes.

Students are required to finish the prerequisite S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, before enrolling in S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended).

References:

S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior (Blended)

S-190, Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior

Wildland Fire Learning Portal