Federal officials blocked state investigators from interviewing members of a second hotshot crew that fought theYarnell Hill Firebecause they feared some of their statements might become publicly disclosed, according to a new report. TheYarnellHill Fire killed 19firefightersin late June.
Correspondence released last Thursday revealed fears centered on the fact that these statements could be made public under the state of Arizona’s Public Records Law, according to azcentral.com (http://bit.ly/IMwkSc).
Interviews with the surviving Blue Ridge Hotshots, a crew that operates under the supervision of the Coconino National Forest, were prohibited because of apprehension about increased public scrutiny in the case.
TheArizonaDivision of Occupational Safety and Health released a comprehensivereporton theYarnell Hill Fireon Wednesday, however there was no testimony from the Blue Ridge Hotshots in it.
Read more about the situation athttp://bit.ly/IMwkSc.
