AZCentral.com
PRESCOTT, Ariz. — Yarnell Fire Chief Jim Koile, facing mounting pressure from a divided community, resigned Tuesday amid questions about his stewardship of the small mostly volunteer fire department and its handling of the fire.
Some Yarnell residents, angered at the preparedness and response to the deadly June 30 Yarnell Hill Fire, which burned nearly a quarter of the homes and killed 19 Prescott firefighters, are now calling for the entire fire district board to resign.
“People like fire chiefs only put up with so much public ridicule,” said Richard Mayer, a member of the Yarnell Fire District Board. “Sometimes you have to say, ‘It’s just not worth it.’” Koile’s sudden departure after 21/2 years came as community leaders were planning a showdown meeting about the fire.
Full story: Yarnell Fire District Chief Jim Koile resigns in wake of controversy