Remembering 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots of the 2013 Yarnell Hill Fire

Every year, wildfires threaten the vegetation and homes of many different communities in a number of states. In June of 2013, lightning strikes in Arizona ignited brush blazes which quickly consumed a few hundred acres. However, by the end of June, drought conditions and scorching temperatures helped fuel the Yarnell Hill Fire that eventually destroyed more than 8,000 acres.

Trapped in a boxed canyon while fighting the inferno, a team of Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives. The men became known as the Granite Mountain 19. At the end of June every year since, local residents host a memorial dinner to honor the Granite Mountain 19 who died during the Yarnell Hill Fire.

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation

Fighting wildfires comes at a cost for equipment and the wages paid to those dedicated to extinguishing the blazes. The cost all too often also results in personal injury or a loss of human lives. In 1987, Vicki Minor determined to find a way to assist injured firefighters and families who lost loved ones while acting in the line of duty. She established the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The organization was founded to help people like the surviving loved ones of the Granite Mountain 19 who were scarred by the Yarnell Hill Fire. The project soon grew and today offers emergency services internationally. The function of the organization depends on the generous donations of caring and concerned citizens.

Protect Our West Campaign

In 2014, the MillerCoors brewing company started the Protect Our West campaign, which was designed to raise funds for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The corporation raised more than $250,000 by donating a portion of the proceeds gained from the sales of their Coors Banquet beer. The success of the campaign influenced the company to annually continue their efforts. In order to spread the word, MillerCoors creates radio and television advertising to enlist the aid of as many people as possible. The Cowboy Lifestyle Network plays its part in the Protect Our West initiative by helping spread the word about the campaign and providing information concerning the cause.

Honoring Firefighters

In addition to raising funds for the cause, the brewer is very much interested in honoring the men and women who risk their lives to contain wildfires. To do this, the company requests that anyone having action photographs or video footage capturing the heroic efforts of wildland firefighters in the line of duty share their media with MillerCoors.

Last Updated on 04/08/2024 by Aaron Kuhl

About the Author:

Aaron Kuhl

Biography:

Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN). Growing up as an Arizona native, with a mother who worked for Wrangler Western for over 30 years, Aaron was immersed in the cowboy culture from a young age. Aaron and his sister Heather grew up watching rodeos, as their grandfather and uncle were PRCA ProRodeo cardholders. This early exposure has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for the western way of life.

Aaron went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, then to the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, where he received a Bachelor of Science after creating his own major. This unique course of study wove together Business Marketing, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Aaron joined CLN in its nascent stages, contributing to its growth and development over the past decade. As COO, Aaron manages operations, using AI to streamline processes and analyze data, ensuring CLN remains a leading voice. With expertise in business development, he innovates and cultivates client relationships, supporting CLN’s exponential growth.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron values his faith, family, and friends, which are the cornerstones of his life. This personal foundation, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a trusted and authoritative voice in the western lifestyle community.

Aaron’s commitment to philanthropy is the bedrock of his personal ethos. He actively supports local Arizona organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Chandler Compadres, Horses Help, Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, and the American Heart Association (among others), reflecting his dedication to giving back and strengthening the community he calls home.

Through his work, Aaron aims to preserve and promote the traditions of the west, ensuring that the spirit of the cowboy lives on for future generations.

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