The tragic news that emerged from the Yarnell Hill Fire line devastated not only Arizonans, but the entire nation. Anyone who has lived here any length of time has run into these guys in their green trucks in wilderness areas threatened by disaster, and I am proud to call several hot shot friends. They have one thing in common: all of them love the beautiful, rugged wilderness and put their lives on the line not only to save threatened communities and properties, but to preserve ancient Douglas firs, towering aspen groves, and wildlife habitat. I have often marveled at their strength and stamina as I am packing out clad in light cotton to avoid dangerous heat conditions, and they are walking in, laden with axes and enormous packs that would stagger most NFL players. Yet I’ve seen them watching bobcat kittens play. They carry orphaned bear cubs to safety, and love their work. They deal stoically with human stupidity, arson, and beacon blazes. They cut painstaking fire lines to save million-dollar executive summer homes, and still their ready smiles are often the only white on sooty faces. The skies are still smoky today and the hot shots are still there, chopping and digging, determined as always, a silent army of our best and brightest.