The son of Avalon’s building inspector was one of 19 firefighters who died Sunday, June 20, while battling a blaze in Yarnell, Ariz.
Garrett Zuppiger, 27, was part of an elite crew, called the Hotshots, known for working on the front lines of wildland fires.
They worked in places where fire trucks could not easily go, including two this season that came before the team descended on the erratic fire that claimed their lives.
The son of Avalon’s building inspector was one of 19 firefighters who died Sunday, June 20, while battling a blaze in Yarnell, Ariz.
Garrett Zuppiger, 27, was part of an elite crew, called the Hotshots, known for working on the front lines of wildland fires.
They worked in places where fire trucks could not easily go, including two this season that came before the team descended on the erratic fire that claimed their lives.
All but one member of the Prescott-based Hotshot crew died in what was the deadliest wildfire for firefighters in the U.S. in decades.
Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo said the 19 were a part of the city’s fire department.
Zuppiger was the son of Bryan Zuppiger, Avalon’s building inspector. Bryan Zuppiger has been with the city for three years, according to Planning Director Amanda Cook. The family does not live on the Island.
No memorial plans for Garret Zuppiger have been announced yet, according to Cook.
“We’re kind of filling in,” Cook said, referring to Planning Department staff.
Avalon Fire Capt. Mike Krug has been helping with inspections. Cook said that Esgil Corporation, the city’s planning check engineer, will provide an interim building inspector next week.
“Our hearts go out to Bryan and his family and the families of all the other firefighters who died,” Cook said.
Zuppiger was known for his sense of humor.
That humor was displayed on a blog he used to keep. He wrote about his grandmother’s one-eyed Chihuahua and photos of a project to build a living room recliner mounted on two skis.
Approximately two years ago, he wrote: “Garret Zuppiger turns 25! Everyday is like a gift!”
