Prescott tribute center to fallen hotshot crew pulling in crowds
Feb 4, 2019, 11:10 AM | Updated: 12:15 pm
(Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Learning and Tribute Center)
PHOENIX – Officials said a tribute center dedicated to the 19 firefighters who died in a Prescott-area blaze said they were closing on 15,000 visitors despite a limited schedule.
The nonprofit Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew Tribute and Learning Center, opened in June and has admitted about 14,900 visitors.
“It appears this has become an important local attraction,” Prescott Fire Chief Dennis Light said in statement.
“This was a grass-roots effort to bring the GMIHC Learning and Tribute Center to fruition,” he said.
Light went on to thank to the volunteers, staff and the community for the support.
The center opened its doors the day before the fifth anniversary of the deaths of the crew that fought the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013.
City officials said visitors from 46 states and nine countries have paid their respects to the crew.
The Learning and Tribute Center is located inside the Prescott Gateway Mall and is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.