I've been out of the news loop for a day or so. It is very sad that 19 of the courageous men fighting to suppress wildfires died doing their job in AZ Sunday.
It sort of hits personal here in the Western United States when something like this tragedy occurs I think. Lots of us have had and have interaction with Hot Shot Fire Crews, Air Attack Personal, 'grunt fire crews' and all the logistical personal that goes along with it. Especially so if we spend much time in the outdoors. A lot of my uncles growing up worked for the USFS and spent many summers on the fire lines as 'cat skinners' and fire crew bosses.' Boise, Idaho is the Headquarters of the National Inter-agency Fire Center so when anything like this tragedy happens it is hard felt and does trickle in to the community as well.
Next time I run into a team of Hot Shots having burgers at the Y-Stop after a fire I know I will thank them for what they do. So often we just take them for granted.