How exactly do firefighters die in forest fires?

The Granite Mountain Hotshots, according to autopsy results, died as a result of (and a mix of) smoke inhalation, burns, and general inhalation problems. We don’t hear so much about individual firefighter deaths, but rather mass ones like this. It tends to skew the public perception of how most firefighters die. read more

Needless to say, firefighters must keep in top physical shape, although many do not, especially where physical standards are not in place. I would say however that most wild land firefighters are in fairly good shape because of rigid standards and the exhausting nature of their duties. read more

19 firefighters killed in Arizona forest fire More YARNELL, Ariz. (AP) — A sudden windstorm turned an Arizona forest fire into an out-of-control inferno that trapped and killed 19 firefighters, nearly all of them members of an elite crew of"hotshots," authorities said Monday. read more