by Lin McNulty
Memorial at OIFR for fallen firefighters. Photo: Cara Russell
While photographing celebratory events around the island on the 6th of July, Orcas Issues photojournalist Cara Russell captured this image of a somber memorial at Orcas Island Fire and Rescue.
The memorial honors the 19 hotshot firefighters who lost their lives last week in the Granite Mountain fire near Prescott, Arizona. Hundreds, if not thousands, of fire departments across the country have erected memorials in their honor.
“The fire service is a tight-knit community,” says Rich Harvey. “We knew we had to do something to honor them.”
The memorial is setup just outside the front door at the Eastsound Fire Station.
Those wishing to donate to assist the surviving families, are invited to do so through the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. “This organization is very trusted, and will get donated funds directly to the families,” says Harvey. Their prime directive is to provide emotional and financial assistance to those families.
Donations are not being accepted directly by Orcas Island Fire and Rescue.
