Article 1: “Lost in Arizona Fire, an Elite Crew That Rushed In”
In the article entitled “Lost in Arizona Fire, an Elite Crew That Rushed In” written by Santos (2013) and published online in The New York Times on July 1, 2013, the author presented relevant information regarding the wilderness fire that ensued in Yarnell Hill in the mountains of Arizona. The firefighters who were deployed on the scene were known as the Granite Mountain Hotshots, which was reported to be part of the Prescott Fire Department. Apparently, the fire allegedly started from a lightning that struck on June 28, Friday, and caused a fire to spark due to intense dry and extremely hot temperature. As a result, the fire was reported to immediately spread to nearby areas, both wilderness and the old gold mining village, where the 19 firefighters were reported to have perished.
As noted, “the fire grew to cover more than 8,000 acres on Monday” . The report likewise detailed that of the 20 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, 19 of these men eventually died on the scene on Sunday, June 30. The cause of deaths were apparently due to the wilderness fire that unexpectedly swept over the men despite frantic efforts to seek immediate rescue in their respective emergency foil shelters. Upon the release of the report, the exact cause of deaths of these 19 firefighters were still being closely evaluated. As asserted by the spokeswoman for the Southwest Area Management Incident Team, Mary Rasmussen stated that “we don’t know the specifics at this time as to why the events added up the way they did” . As firefighters, these men were reported to have been comprehensively trained and were fully capable and experienced in addressing requirements for preventing further destruction caused by wilderness fires.
The amount of damage, though not indicated in this particular report, was disclosed to have been the destruction of more than 100 homes, and another 23 homes damaged, in addition to the 19 lives which were claimed by the fire . The exact costs in damages were therefore not accurately ascertained in the report.
The wilderness fire was reported to have been a natural occurrence, especially in this area due to the soaring of temperature, the fierce gusts of the wind, the frequency within which lightning strikes, and the rarity of rainfall . As such, the fire was actually spurred by a bolt of lightning, which obviously, could not be controlled or prevented. On the other hand, the deaths of the firemen remained an intriguing eventuality since these men have been appropriately and effectively trained to arrest wilderness fires. They were equipped with protective devices and were in fact about to proceed to their respective emergency shelters when the unexpected tragedy happened. It only proved that despite the competencies of people, specifically firefighters, in handling matters such as the wilderness fire, of which they were already experienced, some unfortuitous events could still ensue. As reported, the only survivor was perceived to be “jockeying equipment and away from the rest of the men when flames overcame them” . The suddenness of the engulfment in flames could have been spurred by unnaturally strong gust of wind in the direction of these firemen which left them no time to reach their respective emergency shelters.
Works Cited
Arkin, D. "Federal government denies Arizona's request for Yarnell fire disaster relief." 9 August 2013. U.S. News. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/09/19954949-federal-government-denies-arizonas-request-for-yarnell-fire-disaster-relief?lite. 25 September 2013.
Santos, F. "Lost in Arizona Fire, an Elite Crew That Rushed In." 1 July 2013. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/02/us/arizona-blaze-rages-on-as-crews-cope-with-death-of-19-firefighters.html?pagewanted=all. 25 September 2013.
Article 2: “Plant Explosion Tears at the Heart of a Texas Town”
The article written by Fernandez and Schwartz (2013) entitled “Plant Explosion Tears at the Heart of a Texas Town” and published online in The New York Times on April 18, 2013 proffered pertinent issues concerning the fire that ensued from a fertilizer plant explosion. The incident happened at West, Texas on the 17th of April at about 7:30 in the evening where initial fire was reported to have broken out in the fertilizer plant. As disclosed, several firefighters immediately converged on the scene to desperately arrest the spread of the fire when it was reported that a blast suddenly occurred at about 7:50 p.m. . The affected structure was a 50-unit apartment complex and the fertilizer plant, known as the West Chemical and Fertilizer Company, was disclosed to be owned by Adair Grain Inc., and reported to have only nine employees .
There were injuries and deaths which were reported to have ensued from the blast and from the fire. For one, the three to five volunteer firefighters who immediately responded to the reported fire were reported to be missing. Likewise, there were initial reports of as much as 15 people having died due to the disaster. However, subsequent reports have confirmed that the number of deaths actually totaled 14; as much as 200 people were injured; and the estimated cost of damage to properties (homes and buildings) actually reached $100 million . The same report confirmed that as much as 140 homes were damaged due to the explosion.
Upon closer analysis and investigation on the root cause of the incident, it could be deduced that the fire could have been prevented by instituting proper measures regarding stocking chemicals which were explosive. As disclosed, “the company stored substantial amounts of chemicals used as commercial fertilizers that can become explosive under proper conditions: anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate. Anhydrous ammonia is stored as a liquid in pressurized tanks, and farmers inject it into the soil, where it vaporizes into a colorless, corrosive gas. Ammonium nitrate is usually sold in granular form, and was used in the Oklahoma City bombing” . Likewise, investigations also revealed that the last time Occupational Safety and Health Administration authorities visited the fertilizer plant to monitor its working conditions was 28 years ago. At the time, the plant was found to have had serious violations. In addition, the plant was likewise imposed a fine of as much as “$5,250 by the federal Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for violations involving anhydrous ammonia” in June 2012.
Therefore, the fire could actually have been prevented through closer monitoring and strict ordering to comply with the standards and requirements regarding the stacking of the dangerous chemical. The fact that only last June that there has been gross violations of the stacking of the said chemical should have been a cause of alarm which should have prompted local and state agencies to closely monitor their adherence to safety standards in handling chemicals. The lack of protection devices also exacerbated the extent of the damage caused both by the fire and the explosion. Due to the extent and reported intensity of the explosion, a considerable number of lives were drastically affected, as well as the damages wrought to properties reached a significant level.
Works Cited
Allbritton Communications Company. "West Fertilizer Co. explosion damage to cost $100 million, group says." 24 April 2013. wjla.com. http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/04/west-fertilizer-co-explosion-damage-to-cost-100-million-group-says-87912.html. 24 September 2013.
Fernandez, M. and J. Schwartz. "Plant Explosion Tears at the Heart of a Texas Town." 18 April 2013. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/us/huge-blast-at-texas-fertilizer-plant.html?pagewanted=all. 24 September 2013.
