We Mourn The Lives Of 19 Heroes...And We Pray For The Safety Of All Firefighters...Today...And Everyday

     I won't be talking about anything controversial today, as I would be remiss if The Controversy did not pay tribute to the 19 brave firefighters from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department, whose lives were lost...in the raging wildfire in nearby Yarnell, north of Phoenix.

     As the country collectively mourns the courageous champions of heroism... and we pray for their loved ones - as well as for the estimated 200 families whose homes were destroyed in the beastly blaze - I can't help but wonder why...why such devastation attacks...why such a catastrophe invades...and why such tragedy infiltrates a community of good and decent, warm and caring people?

     It's reportedly the deadliest fire that the United States has suffered in 80 years.  And unlike some forest fires...that begin because of a careless individual who tosses a cigarette on to the ground...or the despicable act of arson...this blaze is being blamed...on "Mother Nature."  Arizona officials seem to be certain that the fire was sparked...Friday, June 28th, 2013...by lightning.  Meteorologists and other weather experts in "The Grand Canyon State" say the bone dry humidity...and high temperatures of more than 100 degrees...fueled the fire to go out of control.  Authorities also say that dry grass fed the fast-moving inferno...while wind gusts of 35 to 45 miles per hour...made the sea of flames much more unpredictable.

     By Sunday, June 30th, 2013....the ferocious fire had spread...scorching more than 8,400 acres...and that is when...on Sunday...that 19 gallant and honorable members of the elite squad known as..."The Granite Mountain Hotshots"...were killed.  Not even their emergency tent-like fire shelters... could save them.

     These Prescott protectors were selfless, devoted and dedicated individuals - as are all firefighters - from tiny towns...to major metropolises...all across America.  The "Hotshots" are among a nationwide fraternity of philanthropic professionals...who put themselves in harm's way...to safeguard others...when God-forbid...it is necessary. 

    Last Sunday was the deadliest day for firefighters - anywhere in the United States - since the 9/11 attacks...September 11th, 2001...and the most fatal forest fire since 1933...when 25 firefighters perished in a blaze near Griffith Park, California.

     Since Sunday...as many as 600 firefighters have carefully and skillfully put forth their efforts to stop the fire from spreading.  As of Wednesday night, July 3rd...the Arizona State Forestry Division reported the fire to be 45 percent contained.

     The "Hotshots" were a compassionate team who were beloved by their "firefighting family"...and by their neighbors who respected them.  The firemen lost their lives in the line of duty...and Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo remarked with sadness Sunday... that "We grieve for the family...we grieve for the department...we grieve for the city.  We're devastated.  We just lost 19 of the finest people you'll ever meet.  We're going through a terrible crisis." 

     Fortunately, there are no other reported deaths or injuries, as a result of the fire.  The lone survivor of the firefighting force of "Hotshots" escaped any harm as he was moving the crew's truck when the flames roared over his 19 colleagues.  A spokesman for the Prescott Fire Department, Wade Ward, defended 21-year old

Brendan McDonough who performed the duties of "lookout."  Ward stated that when the giant wall of fire moved closer towards McDonough, he realized he had to relocate.  Ward says McDonough "did exactly what he was supposed to"...and that "he left his post based on protocol.  He was moving to a new position.  This gentleman was doing his job...and the Hotshot crew was doing their job."  The blaze was so intense that it apparently consumed all of the oxygen in the area; and caused 19 of the Hotshots to suffocate.  Fourteen of the victims were so very young...as they were only in their twenties.

     This has truly been a sad, sad week...not only for Prescott and Yarnell, Arizona...but for all of America.  A "band of brothers" risked their lives last Sunday...to protect the lives and treasures of their neighbors.  My heart aches, breaks and bleeds for those valiant and valorous souls - whose time on this planet has been shockingly and horribly cut short - and for their families and friends...who will agonize and anguish...for decades to come.

     God bless the 19 "Heroic Hotshots"...and God bless all firefighters.

     And that's The Controversy for today.  But then...I certainly hope...that none of you find...any part of this commentary...to be controversial.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again." 

The Controversy will make an effort to publish a new commentary every Sunday and Wednesday.  Unscheduled essays may appear, from time to time, on other days as well.
 

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