Book takes intimate look at 19 Hotshots who died battling Yarnell Hill Fire

A new book, The Fire Line, tells the story of how 19 men lived, and how they died in the Yarnell Hill Fire.... Read more»

Key evidence in Yarnell Hill Fire tragedy never provided to investigators

Key evidence that could explain why the Granite Mountain Hotshots moved from a safe location into a treacherous box canyon where 19 men died on June 30, 2013 was in the possession of the Office of the Maricopa County Medical Examiner but was not provided to the state-contracted investigation into the tragedy, autopsy records recently obtained by InvestigativeMEDIA show.... Read more»

Arizona to pay families $670K over Yarnell Hill firefighter deaths

Arizona will pay a total of $670,000 to the families of the 19 elite firefighters killed in the country's deadliest wildfire in 80 years and has agreed to reform the way it fights wildfires, state officials said... Read more»

A year later, Yarnell continues putting community back together

Not all the houses have been rebuilt. Not all the people have moved back home and not all the damage has been repaired. But one year after the town of Yarnell was hit by what would become the deadliest wildfire in Arizona history, residents say the town is steadily pulling itself back together. ... Read more»

Officials ask Congress for funds to train firefighters, fight wildfires

Forestry and fire officials told a Senate subcommittee that federal, state and local firefighters need more funding, training and flexibility to effectively battle wildfires. It came as the cost to fight the Slide Fire, just contained in Coconino County, was estimated at $10.2 million.... Read more»

Brewer, officials: State is ready for early wildfire season

Gov. Brewer and other state officials say Arizona's wildfire season is off to an earlier start this year because of dry conditions, but they way the state is prepared for the fight. Arizona has already had 179 fires this year, including 24 just in the past week. ... Read more»

Rogue Columnist

Doubling down on Az's dangerous development

One must give the Real Estate Industrial Complex credit for chutzpah. It will not go down with a whimper, but with a bang. And many fires. Or rather, Arizona. The elites behind the growth machine will be long gone, safely behind their gates and walls in more hospitable climes.... Read more»

Granite Mtn Hotshot families file $237M wrongful death claims

The families of 12 of the Granite Mountain Hotshots killed June 30 in the Yarnell Hill Fire have filed notice of claims with the city of Prescott, Central Yavapai County Fire District, the Arizona Forestry Division, Yavapai County and four fire commanders seeking $237.5 million in damages.... Read more»

Officials, lawmakers call for greater investment in wildfire prevention

For every dollar the government spends preventing wildfire damage, it could save cash-strapped agencies like the Forest Service another $5 on fighting increasingly large fires, a Senate committee was told Tuesday. ... Read more»

Yarnell Hill Fire investigation ignored major mistakes by state

"There's usually a chain of events — things that happened that shouldn't have happened" — that contribute to fatal wildfire incidents, said a retired wildfire investigator. Another firefighter, the former chief in Yarnell, called a recent state report on the death of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots a "big cover-up."... Read more»

SBA declares disaster due to Yarnell fire, will offer low-interest loans

The Small Business Administration announced Friday it will offer disaster assistance in the form of low-interest loans to help counter the damage of the Yarnell Hill fire that killed 19 firefighters in June.... Read more»

Brewer appeals FEMA denial of Yarnell disaster declaration

Gov. Jan Brewer on Wednesday asked the Obama administration to reverse a decision denying a federal disaster declaration for the fire-ravaged community of Yarnell.... Read more»