Sandwhich Lover

just a dude playin a dude disguised as another dud

[The Hotshot Wake Up @HotshotWake]

Remembering The Granite Mountain Hotshots: 10 Years Ago Promises Were Made.

The Hotshot Wake Up
(Original Article link in my bio)
#wildfire

If you were a wildland firefighter the year the Yarnell Fire rolled over the top of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, you remember where you were when that news came. I was in Colorado with the Lone Peak Hotshots. Our assignment on that fire was a relatively simple but shitty one. We were asked to assess and complete structure protection and build a fireline around a billionaire’s house in the middle of nowhere.

When we got back to fire camp, we did what we’d always done for countless fires before this one. The buggies were parked, the chocks were put down, and we lined out for chow. It was evident by the time we got to the caterer’s trailer that something unusual was happening. Camp was very hush. The laughing and loud voices in the dinner tent were muffled and silent. The squadies and our Supt had a miniature circle up at the back of our chow line. This was not uncommon, but their eyes told a different story this time.

I was a Lead at the time, and I sat next to my Squadie with our plates of Saulsberry steak, green beans, and what we were able to pile on from the salad bar. I asked “Frenchie” quite candidly, “What the fuck is going on?”
He told me something terrible happened, and the crew would circle up after dinner to discuss it. I remember him telling me, “Nothing like this has ever happened before.” I knew firefighters had died at that point, but I had no idea what the circumstances were, how many, and who they were.

We all circled up after dinner, and the news was brought to us. We were told that there would be a national operational standdown the next day and that we should all reach out to our families to let them know we were ok. This was 2013, and people still had flip phones. We hit the line the next day after a moment of silence; after years of thinking about it, that was much better than sitting in the buggies all day.

Everyone was baffled and shocked at how this could even happen. Folks struggled to understand how an entire crew could have ended up in a situation like this.

The Yarnell Hill Fire started near Yarnell, Arizona, after a lightning strike on June 28, 2013. On June 30, it overran and killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
I would be lying to you if I said this wasn’t a controversial topic sometimes in the wildfire world. Plenty of Hotshots and operational folks have strong personal opinions on the matter. Everyone is entitled to that, and I’ve listened to many.

This was quite literally a national tragedy. It shook everyone. It was the deadliest fire for U.S. wildland firefighters since the 1933 Griffith Park fire, which killed 29 civilian firefighters who were drafted on short notice to help fight a fire near Los Angeles. The entire nation was taken aback by the news out of Yarnell, Arizona.

The Vice President at the time even traveled and spoke at the funeral of the firefighters, and the procession was nationally televised. We were told things needed to change, and they were right. We were told that for far too long, “forestry technicians” have been underpaid, under-recognized, undervalued, and forgotten when help was needed most.

Today is the 10-year anniversary of this national tragedy. Wildland firefighters are still classified as “forestry technicians,” pay increases still linger in Congress, and the man who spoke at their funerals is now President.

I call on this man, the President of the United States, to honor the 19 fallen Hotshots and fulfill promises that were made 10 years ago.

Today is a day of remembrance. It is a day to honor the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Men that lost their lives in the most horrific way imaginable. Burned alive trying to save property in their local community.

Ten years ago, promises were made. Wildland Firefighters are still waiting for them to be kept. They can’t hold their breath much longer.
God Bless

[Sandwhich Lover @760firephoto]

@Maddie_Schulte Hold up what?

[Sandwhich Lover @760firephoto]

@Maddie_Schulte Who called you 😂

[Sawyer Merritt @SawyerMerritt]

Jay Leno on @elonmusk: He lives in a little Airstream trailer on the property (Starbase); There’s no yacht, there’s no huge Goldfinger looking thing, petting a car or any of that nonsense. I think he’s a true genius; It's fun to meet a dreamer who's a practical dreamer. 🚀

[Boise Fire Dept. @BoiseFire]

Boise Fire and BLM are currently on scene of a grass fire in the Boise Front above Warm Springs Rd near Council Springs. The fire is approximately 10 acres moving slowly away from the city. No structures are threatened and crews expect to have containment within the hour.

[CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department @CALFIRERRU]

Incident Update - Fairview Fire https://t.co/VJdDDpowOk

[Cleveland NF @ClevelandNF]

CNF ground and air resources are on scene of vegetation fire in Pine Valley near Noble Canyon. The #ValleyFire is 20 to 30 acres, moderate rate of spread in heavy brush. @CALFIRESANDIEGO assisting.

[News Flash Media @NewsFlashSD]

#SanMarcos - Units at scene of a second-alarm commercial structure fire in the 700 block of Center Drive. Flames reportedly running through the attic of the structure. #CenterIC

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Listen, I can’t do miracles ok

[Sandwhich Lover @760firephoto]

@Maddie_Schulte Because people are morons

[FlameMapper @FlameMapper]

Just got airborne on the wildland fire in Santa Barbra #AlisalFire humbled for the support we got from the local Fire Chiefs to get us up in the TFR tonight. @SheaBroussard1 @FirePhotoGirl @Overwatch_Aero

[Sandwhich Lover @760firephoto]

@Maddie_Schulte SOON MAY THE WELLERMAN COME!!!!!!!!!!!

[El Dub @SunCoastChief]

Friends. It is great sadness that a share that “Engine 51” is down a man. Thank you Mr. Donnelly for the entertainment and influence on the trajectory of many of our lives

[Sequoia & Kings Cyn @SequoiaKingsNPS]

1/ Latest info on the #KNPComplex wildfire: 23,743 acres. Containment: 0%. Resources: 810 personnel (29 crews, 27 engines, 19 water tenders, 8 helicopters). There was about 1,700 acres of growth on the fire yesterday.
https://t.co/Iftuh3bi2w

[Sandwhich Lover @760firephoto]

@gracexstella @NativeFlowers Wow. You have an amazing perspective. Thank you for sharing and educating me.

[CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire @CALFIRESANDIEGO]

#ArubaFire [Final] The Fire is 54 acres and is 90% contained. Firefighters still have some work to do, finishing up control line, removing hose, and cleaning up.

[San Diego Sheriff @SDSheriff]

Just like any doggo, he doesn’t like his meds. Solution? Yummy peanut butter.🤫 Cezar will be off duty for the next two weeks to receive tons of TLC. He’ll then return to training with his handler @SDSheriff Deputy Avedesian to warm up his leg for runs and jumps over obstacles.

[San Diego Sheriff @SDSheriff]

It’s been a ruff #LaborDayWeekend for our @SDSheriff K-9 Cezar, but he remains in pawsitive spirits thanks to your overwhelming messages of support. Cezar is already back to his favorite activity of chasing lizards. Let’s raise the woof for his continued recovery.

[News Flash Media @NewsFlashSD]

#UPDATE: #Murrieta - SDSO has released images of the K-9 that was shot early this morning at the end of a pursuit.

He was shot while trying to stop a suspect from carjacking people, and was released just before 11 this morning.

[CAL FIRE AEU @CALFIREAEU]

CALDOR FIRE
Current Issues with Media, California Penal Code 409.5
#CALDORFIRE