Every year, from June 30 through July 6, the fire service community pauses for what we call the Week of Remembrance—a solemn time to reflect on those we’ve lost in wildland fire operations, and to renew our commitment to safety, readiness, and each other.
This week carries deep meaning. It marks the anniversaries of several major incidents in wildland fire history, including the tragic deaths of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots on June 30, 2013, in Arizona. We remember their names, their stories, and the way they lived—with courage, dedication, and honor.
And now, with heavy hearts, we also add two more names to that sacred roll. Yesterday, two wildland firefighters lost their lives in Idaho. Their deaths remind us how unforgiving this work can be—even for the best-trained, best-equipped, and most experienced among us. They also remind us why we must never grow complacent.
As firefighters, we train hard, we prepare well, and we watch out for one another. But this week is about more than training logs and safety drills. It’s about culture. It’s about taking care of our people—before, during, and after the call. It’s about speaking up when something feels off. And it’s about making space to grieve, to learn, and to remember.
This Week of Remembrance, let’s do three things:
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Reflect – on those we’ve lost and on the lessons they’ve taught us.
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Remember – their names, their families, their service.
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Recommit – to doing everything in our power to ensure everyone goes home.
To those serving on the firelines right now—stay sharp, stay safe, and know that we are with you. To the families and communities mourning in Idaho, you are in our hearts.
We remember. And we carry them with us.
Thank you for reading this week’s installment of Behind The Alarm! Check back next week as we tackle another topic from behind the alarm. Have questions or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you!
This article first appeared in Behind The Alarm, the newsletter of Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic of the Stronach Township Fire Department, on June 30, 2025. Read the original.