A Moment of Clarity.

WORDS. 

"Over the next few months, there will be an inquiry into why the Granite Mountain Hotshots died. Like previous investigations, it will probably unfairly blame “poor decision-making” by the firefighters, who can no longer defend their actions. Parallels are already being drawn to the 1994 South Canyon Fire in Colorado, when 14 elite firefighters died and investigators pointed to errors in the way the fire was fought. The firefighting community will come up with a new set of safety standards and go through more training, and the public will mourn the dead and then move on to the next tragedy. Meanwhile, the people of Yarnell and other Western communities where wildfires have consumed homes this summer will receive their insurance checks and rebuild. Things will go back to business as usual for everyone — except the loved ones of those lost. 

This cycle must end.

...Wildfires are not preventable. Like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, they are inevitable. Unless we fundamentally change the way we view wildfires, brave men and women will continue to put themselves in harm’s way to protect our homes. And we will have to explain to the families and loved ones of those lost why we thought our houses were more important than their lives."

THE WASHINGTON POST: Arizona fire deaths prove no one should die for a house

SEE ALSO:

A Moment of Clarity.