In Memory of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew

See the Facebook Page in their Memory - CLICK HERE

We have written about big wildfires this year - the Black Forest Fire and the Powerhouse Fire.

But last night (June 30, 2013) we all witnessed the worst news of all ... 19 Wildland Firefighters were killed battling a wildfire in Arizona.

They were from the Prescott Fire Department, specifically the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew.

They were fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire.

They were digging a fire line and building a safety zone with an escape route.  But unfortunately, their safety zone and escape route were overtaken by the fire.

The outpouring of love and support for these brave firefighters and their families has been powerful.

Just 15 hours ago a Facebook page was established in their memory.  That page has over 200,000 'Likes' already.  And that number is rapidly growing.

This is the largest loss of Firefighters since 9/11.

This is the largest loss of Wildland Firefighters since 1933.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers sincerely go out to the families and friends of these courageous Hotshots.

Credit: Julie Jacobson/AP

Wildfire Conditions : HIGH ALERT

Credit: Jonathan Alcorn/Reuters

The Black Forest Fire in Colorado, the Powerhouse Fire in California and many other wildfires this year, have combined to put Fire Officials in the Western US on HIGH ALERT Wildfire Season.

So they are letting the public know!

Fire Chiefs in Southern California announced they expect this Wildfire Season could be the worst in 100 years!  They blame this extreme warning on rising temperatures, dry winds and drought conditions.  In fact, they're preparing for 2,600 fires across 51,000 acres.

And perhaps the public is taking notice.

Yahoo! says in the 7 days ending 6/24/13 they saw the following:

• Searches for "Southern California Wildfires" were up +2,844%
• Searches for "Wildfires in Colorado" were up +380%

What the future holds, we don't know.

We hope for the best.  But Firefighters are wisely planning for the worst.

Credit: Unknown

Black Forest Fire : UPDATE

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Last week we reported on the new worst wildfire in Colorado history - the Black Forest Fire of 2013.

It surpasses the Waldo Canyon Fire of 2012.

As of June 17, 2013 here's an update on the Black Forest Fire...

• 75% contained
• 14,280 acres burned (22 sq mi)
• 457 firefighters involved
• 483 homes destroyed
• 2 people dead
• 38,000 people evacuated from 13,000 homes across 147 sq miles

Obviously the best news is that Wildland Firefighters have brought this blaze to 75% containment.

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Hyoung Chang/Denver Post

Credit: John Wark/Denver Post

Credit: Hyoung Chang/Denver Post

Credit: AAron Ontiveroz/Denver Post

Credit: Rick Wilking/Reuters

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post

Black Forest Fire

Credit: Peter McElvoy

Last year at this time we were talking about the worst wildfire in Colorado history.

The Waldo Canyon Fire burned for 17 days.  Here's what happened...

• 18,247 acres burned (29 sq mi)
• 32,000 residents were evacuated
• 346 homes were destroyed
• 2 people were killed
• $353 million in insurance claims were filed

This year its the Black Forest Fire, burning out of control.  In just 2 days...

• 15,000 acres have burned (23 sq mi)
• 38,000 residents are evacuated
• 360 homes have been destroyed

Black Forest 2013 will certainly pass Waldo Canyon 2012 to become the new "worst wildfire in Colorado history."

We are grateful to the Wildland Firefighters and Hot Shots battling this blaze.  We hope for full containment, soon!

Here are photos of the Black Forest Fire

Credit: Brennan Linsley/AP

Credit: CBS

Credit: Brennan Linsley/AP

Credit: Mark Reis/Colorado Springs Gazette/MCT via Getty

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post via Getty 

Credit: Helen Richardson/Denver Post via Getty 

Credit: AP