Remembering The Yarnell Hill Fire 10 Years Later

By Becky Maxedon

Ten years ago, 19 wildland firefighters had no idea what they would face when they reported for duty in Yarnell.

The Granite Mountain Hotshots responded to the Yarnell Hill Fire and none of them knew it would be the last time they would report for duty.

The Yarnell Hill Fire was sparked by a lightening strike on June 28, 2013. The Hotshots were taken by the flames on June 30, 2013.

More firefighters were killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire in a single incident since 9/11.

Photo courtesy Lonnie Stevenson

The area is located 80 miles northwest of Phoenix. The fire burned 8,300 acres and evacuation shelters were set up at Yavapai College in Prescott and in Wickenburg at Wickenburg High School.

The fire devastated the area and residents and others have been working to rebuild ever since.

One shining example of honor and recovery is the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park.

The park was dedicated in 2016 – just three years after the tragic event.

Members of the Flagstaff group of the American Conservation Experience – or ACE – helped develop the park and trail.

Photo courtesy Lonnie Stevenson

Over the weekend of June 10-11, Lonnie Stevenson, of Lake Havasu City, was part of the 10^th anniversary commemoration of the event participating in a 10k run June 10, and a 7.5-mile hike June 11.

“I have just started to do some 10k races and I talked to people, and they said this was a good one,” Stevenson said.

But Stevenson had more than a good 10k. He had an experience, and he can’t wait to get back and do it again.

“I looked at the history and when you go from the Memorial down the trail to the Fatality Site, you’re taking the path those guys took,” Stevenson said.

He said it is about an 800-foot descent from the memorial to the Fatality Site.

Along the trail, there are plaques dedicated to each of the 19 Hotshots who lost their lives that day.

Stevenson met Park Ranger Jarod Welsh who cares for the park. Welsh also is a Yarnell resident.

Stevenson and Park Ranger Welsh pose for a photo while meeting. Photo courtesy Lonnie Stevenson

“He told me that in his four years as a ranger in the park, he has taken more than 300 hikes up and down to polish the plaques and care for the trail,” Stevenson said.

Along the trail, there is a display of firefighter patches from departments from throughout the U.S. and around the world.

In the Fatality Site, there are 19 gabion baskets. Although there are no names on the baskets, it’s known who they are there for.

“I just sat there and reflected when I was at the Fatality Site – trying to imagine what it was like that day,” he said.

Photo courtesy Lonnie Stevenson

There is a small park – Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial – in the center of Yarnell. It was turned over to the State Park Service on June 1.

Ranger Welsh said most people who stop there use the restrooms and move on, but occasionally, he finds a local resident sitting in the park reflecting.

Arizona, Yarnell and wildlands firefighters everywhere will all be reflecting on June 30 as the Granite Mountain Hotshots are remembered.