Five years later, by July of 2018, most of the funds had been disbursed to residents who lost their homes and local infrastructure. The remaining funds were designated for the Memorial Park which was dedicated on June 30, 2021.
The YHRG changed its focus. The finest memorial we can build in memory of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and to the homes and memories lost is to develop Yarnell and the area into a thriving, economically sustainable community. Under the DBA Yarnell Area Resource Group (YARG) its mission is now “Collaborating for sustainable communities in the Weaver Mountains.” This will include:
- maintaining the park.
- offering a 501c3 umbrella for organizations and projects that warrant such provision and which align with the mission.
- retaining and expanding relationships with individuals and organizations in the Weaver Mountains area and Yavapai County, and State Wide Organizations.
- collaborating to organize events, offer suggestions and resources based on our experience that can benefit other local organizations.
The Dedication for the park was on June 30,2021.
On June 30, 2021 a Memorial Remembrance Event and Park Dedication took place at the Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial Park, located at 22556 State Route 89.
Yarnell residents Marsha and Craig Lohr built the “19 Bells Memorial Chapel” on their beautiful shaded grounds west of the Memorial Park and invited visitors to pay tribute to the Hotshots at the Chapel after the dedication. We sincerely appreciate their welcoming visitors to this beautiful location.
At 6 PM Acoustic Eidolon presented a Dedication Concert. We appreciate their continuing support of the park!
The following buttons will connect you to Youtube videos of the memorial service and park dedication. Click on the button you wish to watch. You will leave this website to view the video. When you are done watching a video press the return button at the top of your screen to return to this website and select another.
Painting by Ray Antolik. Click to enlarge. He is making the prints affordable for us to raise money for the Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial Park. They can be purchased at the Yarnell Emporium, 928-427-9593.
Wildland Firefighter©
by Bob Brandon
Bob Brandon, a self-taught artist, was on the frontline of fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. Bob and his crew were creating a firebreak in the Shrine Road area. A sudden wind shift forced them to abandon their work. The wind shift changed to course of the fire – and the course of many lives.
Prints of “Wildland
Firefighter” are
available.
CLICK ON SIGN ABOVE OR COMMUNITY SIGN IN THE FOOTER TO SEE THE NEW FEATURE AVAILABLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS FROM YARNELL AREA RESOURCE GROUP AND YARNELL-PEEPLES VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The finest memorial we can build in memory of the Granite Mountain Hotshots and to the homes and memories lost is to develop Yarnell into a thriving, economically sustainable community. The Yarnell Fire Memorial Park is part of that vision.
In May 2020, Arizona State Parks and Trails made an award to the Yarnell Hill Recovery Group dba Yarnell Area Resource Group. That funding will enabled the Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial Park to be completed by June 30, 2021. We are grateful to ASPT for their support and encouragement in the development of our Park.
Even more, we appreciate their commitment to help our community. The shuttle service to the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park is run by the Yarnell Fire District, providing a critical income stream for the department. The State Park is staffed by a Yarnell resident, and shuttle passengers have the opportunity to visit local shops and restaurants, all of which benefit the local economy.
Pictures of the bricks are on the Memorial Park page.
