Federal government says no to aid for Arizona fire that killed 19 firefighters
Federal government says no to aid for Arizona fire that killed 19 firefighters
, Mon August 12, 2013
Nineteen firefighters, part of an elite group called the Hotshots, died while battling a wildfire about 85 miles northwest of Phoenix on Sunday, June 30. Here are the 19 victims: Andrew Ashcraft, 29. Robert Caldwell, 23.
Robert Caldwell, 23. Travis Carter, 31.
Travis Carter, 31. Dustin DeFord, 24.
Dustin DeFord, 24. Chris MacKenzie, 30.
Chris MacKenzie, 30. Eric Marsh, 43.
Eric Marsh, 43. Grant McKee, 21.
Grant McKee, 21. Sean Misner, 26.
Sean Misner, 26. Scott Norris, 28.
Scott Norris, 28. Wade Parker, 22.
Wade Parker, 22. John Percin, 24.
John Percin, 24. Jesse Steed, 36.
Jesse Steed, 36. Anthony Rose, 23.
Anthony Rose, 23. Joe Thurston, 32.
Joe Thurston, 32. Travis Turbyfill, 27.
Travis Turbyfill, 27. William Warneke, 25.
William Warneke, 25. Clayton Whitted, 28.
Clayton Whitted, 28. Kevin Woyjeck, 21.
Kevin Woyjeck, 21. Garret Zuppiger, 27.
Garret Zuppiger, 27.Arizona's top politicians blast the Obama administration over the denial
- The Yarnell Hill blaze killed 19 firefighters, called "hotshots," in June
- FEMA says it based its decision on insurance rules; it is not allowed to duplicate private benefits
- Republican Gov. Jan Brewer criticizes the Obama administration
(CNN) -- Arizona's top politicians blasted the Obama administration and federal officials over the denial of aid in the wake of the state's deadly wildfire.
The Yarnell Hill blaze killed 19 firefighters, called "hotshots," in late June, when it changed directions and engulfed them.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the state's request for assistance based on insurance rules, it said in a statement Friday. It determined that not enough uninsured private individuals had become victims to warrant a payout.
FEMA said it is not permitted to "duplicate benefits provided by insurance companies or other federal agencies."
The agency also declined to issue a "major disaster declaration" for affected areas.
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Lone survivor pays tribute at Arizona firefighters memorial
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The decision drew criticism from Arizona's two Republican senators, John McCain and Jeff Flake.
Widow of firefighter fights for benefits
A deadly wildfire leaves behind little but a burned-out car and the remains of a house in a Yarnell, Arizona, neighborhood on Wednesday, July 3. The fire started a week ago near Yarnell, apparently because of lightning strikes. Nineteen firefighters were killed Sunday, June 30, battling the blaze northwest of Phoenix. An aerial overview shows the devastation in Yarnell on July 3. Crews have begun making progress on the wildfire, which reportedly was 80% contained by Thursday night, July 4.
An aerial overview shows the devastation in Yarnell on July 3. Crews have begun making progress on the wildfire, which reportedly was 80% contained by Thursday night, July 4. Smoke from the Yarnell Hill Fire is visible from a distance on a road to Yarnell on Monday, July 1.
Smoke from the Yarnell Hill Fire is visible from a distance on a road to Yarnell on Monday, July 1. Local firefighters embrace July 1 at a Prescott, Arizona, memorial service for the 19 firefighters killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, northwest of Phoenix.
Local firefighters embrace July 1 at a Prescott, Arizona, memorial service for the 19 firefighters killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, northwest of Phoenix. A couple embraces during the Prescott memorial service for the fallen fighters on July 1. The elite team members' deaths on Sunday, June 30, marked the deadliest day for firefighters since the 9/11 attacks.
A couple embraces during the Prescott memorial service for the fallen fighters on July 1. The elite team members' deaths on Sunday, June 30, marked the deadliest day for firefighters since the 9/11 attacks. Members of the community give a standing ovation as local firefighters arrive at the July 1 memorial service at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott.
Members of the community give a standing ovation as local firefighters arrive at the July 1 memorial service at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott. Toby Schultz lays flowers on July 1 at the fence of the fire station in Prescott, Arizona, the home base of 19 firefighters who died in the Yarnell Hill Fire.
Toby Schultz lays flowers on July 1 at the fence of the fire station in Prescott, Arizona, the home base of 19 firefighters who died in the Yarnell Hill Fire. Flowers hang on the fence outside the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station on July 1.
Flowers hang on the fence outside the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station on July 1. Homes burn on Sunday, June 30, in Glenn Ilah, Arizona, near Yarnell.
Homes burn on Sunday, June 30, in Glenn Ilah, Arizona, near Yarnell. A home burns in Yarnell, Arizona, on Sunday, June 30.
A home burns in Yarnell, Arizona, on Sunday, June 30. Prescott, Arizona, Fire Chief Dan Fraijo gives a news conference in Prescott confirming that 19 firefighters died while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30.
Prescott, Arizona, Fire Chief Dan Fraijo gives a news conference in Prescott confirming that 19 firefighters died while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30. A wildfire destroys homes in the Glenn Ilah area near Yarnell on June 30.
A wildfire destroys homes in the Glenn Ilah area near Yarnell on June 30. A wildfire burns homes near Yarnell on June 30.
A wildfire burns homes near Yarnell on June 30. Tanker 910 makes a retardant drop on the Yarnell Hill Fire to help protect the Double Bar A Ranch near Peeples Valley on June 30.
Tanker 910 makes a retardant drop on the Yarnell Hill Fire to help protect the Double Bar A Ranch near Peeples Valley on June 30. Firefighters move away from the Yarnell Hill Fire, near the town of Yarnell on June 30.
Firefighters move away from the Yarnell Hill Fire, near the town of Yarnell on June 30.HIDE CAPTION
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Photos: Arizona wildfire
"We are disappointed that FEMA denied the governor's disaster declaration request for the Yarnell Hill Fire," they said in a joint statement. "It is a shame that FEMA couldn't find it within their mission to help rebuild their homes and lives."
Republican Gov. Jan Brewer directed her criticism directly at the president.
"I am deeply troubled by the Obama administration's decision to deny much-needed recovery assistance in the wake of Arizona's deadliest wildfire," she said in a statement.
In a phone call after the fire, President Barack Obama had pledged support, she said. She felt that he had now backed down.
"With today's denial of the state's request, Arizonans are left questioning what help (the president and vice president) were willing to give," she said.
Vice President Joe Biden spoke at a memorial for the fallen hotshots in July.
Opinion: Why lasting compassion matters
FEMA firefighting aid
After they perished in the flames, FEMA issued a grant to the state to help cover the costs of fighting the blaze while it was still active.
The fire devoured more than 8,000 acres of woodland. But the Yarnell Hill blaze ravaged two communities, wiping out homes and other buildings.
Arizona's governor and two senators said they want to appeal FEMA's decision.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sweettina2 on
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Well hell no! They would rather spend it on people who DONT fight in some way for this country. Figures. Thanks for posting.
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Permalink Reply by Central Scrutinizer on
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..and there ye be ya federal fuchs, now ya have MORE AZ State Gov't employee's HATING you and realizing your a big ass Liar, Fraud and scam artist..Keep it up dickheads, soon you Capitol Hill pricks will be all alone and we will overcome your Oligarch asses easier than originally anticipated
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Permalink Reply by Roy Patterson on
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Obama had money to fly his dog solo from Washington to Mass. to their vacation home, but couldn't find the money to help the families of these dead firefighters. Just another example of the crap that's coming from the Obama administration. You have seen anything yet, just wait until Obamacare kicks in full force in 2014 and seniors find out about the big cuts in medicare with the medicare cost control boards (death panels). Someone has to pay for the free insurance for the so-called poor in Obamacare. It's going to be the seniors on medicare.
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