The Fire Line: The Story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots

This is an insightful story about that ill-fated event. As a seasonal wildland firefighter with over 20 years of experience, I have worked with, and known literally hundreds of young men just like these. They are your neighbor, former classmate, brother, cousin and best friend. Many are college students trying to earn money for school. I remember that day as clear as if it were yesterday. As soon as the news was released, I had friends and family members blowing up my phone trying to find out if I was on the fire and making sure I was ok.Unlike one of the other reviewer's, I didn't read any political agenda in this book. It is a known fact among firefighters that fires are becoming larger and more intense due to a number of factors such as drought, fuel loading and disease. Urban interface has compounded the problem.I will say that as a supervisor, being a seasonal employee for the federal government (USFS- I was a sawyer, engine captain and squad boss) I was only making just over $15 an hour with no benefits other than sickleave and a little bit of vacation time, and that is typical for seasonal employees. When we are injured, unless we can afford our own insurance, our medical bills are paid by Worker's Comp. which is a difficult process. Fortunately for me I am a schoolteacher, so I had my own medical insurance. This book not only puts a real person with the names of the fallen, it points out those gaps in benefits for firefighters. While we are aware of the situation, no one ever believes it can happen to them, and we accept that risk and relatively low pay because we are doing what we love, working outdoors.Santos did a good job of researching and understanding fire behavior and the operations of firefighting . As a firefighter, there were some issues however, with tools and gear which I noticed that a layman wouldn't. Things such as her description of drip torches having an igniter to light them (they don't), we don't use picks and axes we use pulaski's (as she described), rhinos, shovels and many other tools, but not picks and axes in fire line construction. Our boots (White's and Nick's) are certainly not insulated as she stated several times. They're made out of thick leather with hard rubber Vibram soles but your feet still get extremely hot inside when you're working the fire. To her credit, she did a very good job of trying to understand the complex world and equipment of wildland fire.The question that still remain unanswered, but the answer is implied or speculated as to why they left the safety of the black. The answer to that question died with them in that brushy basin. I appreciate the fact that Santos doesn't look for blame. Wildland fire is chaotic and constantly evolving and situational awareness is crucial on all levels in order to stay relatively safe. Relative being the key word.For me, it was emotionally difficult to read this book, because I could identify so closely with the young men who perished, and the struggle of the families that they left behind. It is important that their story be told and an awareness made among the public as to the difficult job of the wildland firefighter and the sacrifices made by their families. When you see these dirty exhausted men and women in your grocery store grabbing snacks, or fueling up their vehicles headed off to the next fire, give them your thanks.This is a good book and I highly recommend it.

This book was hard to get through, especially because it is true. I knew about this fire happening back in June 2013 but I really got curious about it after going to see "Only The Brave" that is out in theaters right now. After seeing the movie, I immediately starting searching for books about the Granite Mountain Hotshots - I wanted to learn more about them and to see how accurate the movie actually was.In The Fire Line, Fernanda Santos maps out the crew's story, starting with telling a little bit about each of the guys, following along until that fateful day that killed 19 of the 20 men on the crew. It is apparent that Santos does her research - she interviewed families, talked to those in Prescott, AZ associated with the hotshot crew, and did a good job of informing the reader about what really happened leading up to their deaths, as well as some information on the families after the funerals.It is a tough read - the writing is good, the facts are present, but it is heart wrenching to think about what these men went through. According to the book, the fire got up to 2,000 degrees. The men deployed in their fire blankets but a heat that strong will kill anything in its path. Just thinking about what the men went through the final minutes of their lives is terrifying and sad. My heart goes out to each of them, as well as their families and friends left to mourn them.I've always admired firefighters - this book will make you grow admiration for them too. Tip your hat to one the next time you see them, or even saying a kind, "thank you" will go a long way.Excellent book - hard to read but I'm glad to learn more about these true heroes.

Riveting. Factual. Heartbreaking. As residents of Prescott, AZ, we still feel a punch in the gut when we remember our 19 heroes. The author places your heart in the center of each family as well as revealing the inner strength of each wildland firefighter. She does not sensationalize the fire or the men or the facts. She brings you into the heart of why this is a passion, not a job, for wildland firefighters. This book should be a Pulitzer Prize winner. We love these firefighters. If I may, I would like to thank all of the fire departments in Arizona and neighboring states, from hundreds of miles away, who brought their firemen and fire trucks into our town with our narrow streets and protected our daily routine so that our city firemen could grieve with and help the families of the 19. Thank you to the families who shared their loved ones with us to protect our homes, town and lives. You will never be forgotten.

A disclaimer, I live in Prescott Valley, AZ that is mentioned numerous times in the book. I was out of town the day of their deaths but returned the following day. I saw much of this play out over the next year.About 150 miles North of here is the Navajo nation who weave rugs that are gorgeous. Fernanda Santos weaves a story with equal detail and ease of reading. She covers the history of the western fires and the changes the different bureaus have made throughout the years. She builds up the history of the hotshots and particularly the Prescott, Arizona hotshots. The background of these individual hotshots would not make them shining knights; their training and dedication made them shining knights. Politicians still reeling from the recession have not appropriated the resources needed to put safe land management practices in place. There had not been any control efforts in Yarnell, AZ for more than 40 years. Conservatism that does not spend money does not necessarily save money. That's when the bad things started. The story covers the aftermath from the city's perspective, from the hot-shot families, and the land management aftermath.The mayor did not seek reelection after the fire, the hotshots division no longer exist. The community is saddened.

Very informative account of what happened

Good read

On comprend ce qui c est passe les faits sont bien rapportés le langage est clair les descriptions bien détaillées

great book