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Issue 56

August 2013

Yarnell Rising

by James Cowlin

Introduction: A wildfire ignited by lightening began on Friday, June 28, in dense vegetation and boulders southwest of the town of Yarnell, Arizona, on Highway 89. On Sunday afternoon, June 30, driven by strong winds that quickly changed direction, the fire overran and killed nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots from Prescott, Arizona. The fire continued to burn to the north and west of Yarnell into the Peeples Valley. The Yarnell Hill Fire was declared 100% contained on Wednesday, July 10, after burning 8,400 acres and destroying over 100 houses.

Yarnell Emporium--Open for Business

Yarnell is back in business. That is the message that the folks who own the restaurants, antique stores and other businesses want you to know.

Barbara and I drove up to Yarnell on Sunday. We wanted to get a first hand look at the town and talk with friends so we could report on the aftermath of the fire that burned for over a week in the hills to the west of town.

When we got to the top of Yarnell Hill, we could clearly see where the fire had burned through the residential area of Glen Ilah. But as we drove down Highway 89, we were relieved to find that all of the familiar stores and restaurants were undamaged with flags flying and big OPEN signs out front. From the business district on Broadway, signs of the fire are hardly visible and all appears to be normal.

Vicki Velasquez talks with customers in the Painted Lizard

Our first stop was at the Painted Lizard to visit with Vicki Velasquez. We've known Vicki for a number of years. It was under her leadership that the Yarnell-Peeples Valley Chamber of Commerce became a member of the US Route 89 Appreciation Society. It was good to see that the Painted Lizard was up and running with Vicki behind the counter. Barbara always finds something unique there to add to our US Route 89 collection.

However, like several other business owners, Vicki had lost her home in the fire. She had lived in an historic home that was built into and around granite boulders. It will be difficult if not impossible to rebuild. In talking with Vicki about how she and the rest of the residents of Yarnell are coping with their loses, we had to admire her resilience and optimism.

"We've been back two weeks and we've made a lot of progress," Vicki told us. "As a whole the community will come back stronger."

Enjoying a pizza at the T-Bird Cafe in Peeples Valley

Having arrived at lunchtime, we decided to head for the T-Bird Cafe in Peeples Valley north of Yarnell on Highway 89. The memory of their wonderful pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven had lingered in my mind and I wanted to make sure it wasn't a dream. I am delighted to report that the T-Bird is very much in business and that the pizza is as delicious as I remembered.

Frances Lechner

Back in Yarnell, we met with Frances Lechner, the Communications Director for the Yarnell Hill Recovery Group. This volunteer organization has set for itself the task of connecting people in need with all of the resouces available to help. According to Frances, "We identify unmet needs and meet them."

It is remarkable how quickly residents of Yarnell got organized and how those with undamaged homes have come forward to volunteer. Places to live for everyone who lost a home have been found and over 4,000 hours of volunteer time have been recorded.

Yarnell Hill Recovery Group Logo

The Yarnell Hill Recovery Group has three main goals. First is to make sure that Yarnell is remembered for a long time, not just in the immediate aftermath of the fire. Second, they are soliciting tax deductible donations for a recovery fund. And third, they are looking for volunteers with specific skills to aid in rebuilding. Check the groups website for more information on how you can help and follow them on Facebook to keep up to date on the recovery effort.

Fire damage at the Shrine of St. Joseph

The Shrine of St. Joseph has been an attraction for visitors to Yarnell since the 1930s. It is located a few blocks west of the business district and was badly damaged in the fire. Seven buildings at the Shrine and at the Retreat Center were destroyed. Fortunately, the sculptures that represent the twelve stations of the cross were spared although the cross holding the statute of Jesus being crucified was burned. Vicki Velasquez is collecting donations to rebuild the Shrine and Retreat Center on gofundme.

On the same street as the Shrine is one of the most unusual attractions you are likely to find anywhere. Known as Carraro's Grotto, it is a castle-like structure built into the boulders. It was built by an eccentric Italian engineer who also built the Tovrea Castle in Phoenix. How he came to live in Yarnell and details of the Grotto is a story I will tell as a Roadside Diversion in the near future.

Doug Camblin points to fire damage at Carraro's Grotto

The current owner of the Grotto, Doug Camblin, took us on a tour to show us how close the fire had come to the castle. He pointed out how arbitrary the destruction was. The two houses to the west were burned to the ground while his home to the east was untouched. We saw this same thing when Vicki took us to Glen Ilah. There seemed to be no logic in what was burned and what was not.

To sum up our impressions from the visit: everyone we met was glad to be back in business and was optimistic about the future. Many asked us to get the word out that Yarnell is open for business and welcoming travelers on Highway 89. One of the best ways to help with the recovery is to come to town and spend money. It is as simple as that.

Chef's Special at the T-Bird Cafe

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