For now, these towns and these families can only grieve, and begin planning for funerals. Death toll: The Yarnell wildfire is the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the U.S. for at least 30 years. It was everything to him. The unfamiliar truck pulled up to the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District station, where crews were stopping to pick up supplies on their way to the Sawmill Fire. Is humanity doomed? We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The father of four always seized every opportunity to call or text Juliann while out on a job even if it meant hiking to the top of a mountain to get a signal. We love them.'. his company. Ms. Ashcraft said Thursday that not . In fact, he was one of 19 wildland firefighters who died in the line of duty that day, with just one member of the crew surviving. Juliann Ashcraft, the widow of fallen firefighter Andrew Ashcraft, one of 19 men who sacrificed his life battling a wildfire Sunday outside of Yarnell, Ariz., discussed the final text messages and photos she shared with her husband hours before he died. His new family refused to leave her behind. "I want to be a fireman," Zak said. In the months after the fire, there would be an investigation. the firefighters. Off in the distance, from behind a ridge line, billowed a sickly, blackish-brown plume spreading like a bruise across the graying sky. Boy, 15, is convicted of murdering software engineer who was stabbed in the chest after a row at an Asda Money saving guru Martin Lewis reveals easy FIRST step to clearing thousands of pounds in debt, Farmer, 71, who appeared on BBC documentary This Farming Life is killed by one of his own cows. Teddy bears, homemade banners, flower arrangements and fire department T-shirts from all over the country bake in the brutal summer sun. Roxanne had married Billy in 2008, but they had known each other since high school. Blue Ridge had helped battle the blaze that killed Billy and the hotshot crew. Her palms grew sweaty. Juliann Ashcraft said she is desperate for help. employment status of the men under his command than it does for the When they were found on Sunday, all 19 shelters were deployed but some of the men's bodies were inside their individual shelters, while others were outside - indicating just how suddenly they were overcome by the flames. It didnt come. Vote here and tell us why, Do not sell or share my personal information. is itself merely a one-sidedly useful artifice. Ashcraft did not think it would be this much of an issue. rich in wry humor and lived-in wisdom), vouches for them to the mayor Juliann Ashcraft, widow of Andrew Ashcraft, who was one of the 19 firefighters who died while battling the Arizona wildfire on Sunday, spoke to "Today" about the final text messages she exchanged with her husband. As a result of the dispute, there were two separate memorial services held for the fallen firefightersone organized by their union, one run by the city of Prescott. They took Billie Grace with them. Now she wondered if that were true. Andrew Ashcraft texted this photo to his wife, Juliann, just before he perished in a blaze Sunday. watched the movie, I felt that something was missing (including the dollars in damages.) Then he rode away with a firefighter from another Hotshot team. Juliann Ashcraft and her husband Andrew were twenty-somethings with four young children when he died in the line of duty in Prescott, Arizona on June 30, 2013. Roxanne still tells Billie Grace stories about her father, and Billie Grace tells them to Harry. Her mother doesn't hold back though. Along the way, moods changed and perceptions shifted as the families laid bare their demands for answers about the deaths of a crew skilled on fighting fires in the wild and for fairness over the benefits for the wives and children left behind. Another board member, Wade Ward of the Prescott Fire Department, said the question was difficult because "everything that we've gone through and continue to go through is unprecedented. . 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But the city insists Ashcraft and 12 others were seasonal employees and are therefore not entitled to the lifetime salaries and health benefits -- worth millions -- given to the six full-time Hotshots. Sean Kauffman, a former Granite Mountain Hotshot, paying his respects. On Wednesday, 12 of the 19 families sued the state, its forestry division and the incident commanders in charge when and before the deaths occurred, pushing to find out how a seemingly routine assignment could have gone so wrong for an elite group of wilderness firefighters, the Granite Mountain Hotshots. They live in that same house, built by her community, an American flag still flying out front, a play fort in the backyard now. It turns out that, just a few weeks after the tragedy, one widow, Juliann Ashcraft, an LDS wife and mother, appeared on the "Today" show Tuesday morning to discuss her husband, who's been hailed as a hero, two days after learning of his death. Still, at first, officials determined this blaze to be small, posing no immediate threat to Yarnell's 700 residents. Restore radiance: This 8.99 'incredible' skin-brightening serum Amazon shoppers swear by gives you a 'Barely feels like you're wearing anything': Calvin Klein's bestselling signature cotton bralette is now 56% Shamima Begum boasts her journey to Syria was 'easy' and says she never considered turning back as BBC Two killed by 'armed' chickens: Men bleed to death after being sliced by knives fixed to roosters at Law student, 26, was told 'you sound like you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself' by nurse before dying, How did serial-prankster gain access to BBC studio? She was named Billie Grace, for her father. She tells peopleRoxanne was a lot like that as a child. ', Engulfed: 19 firefighters died as the wildfire spread near the Arizona town of Yarnell, Beneitone said athletic prowess was a must for the Hotshots. home town. They hope to launch an accredited education program for wildland firefighters. People keep saying that were in it for the money, but what they dont understand is that we married our husbands when they had nothing, and wed give every penny weve received to have them back, Ms. Warneke said. second-in-command, Jesse Steed (James Badge Dale), who provides a model Juliann Ashcraft, the spouse of the late firefighter Andrew Ashcraft, 'We're devastated. "I think I will be down there for a while on this one," 29-year-old Ashcraft had told his wife via text. He responded that he wished for that too. Roxanne recognized the hotshot crews called into help, including Blue Ridge from Happy Jack. Roxanne had married Billy in 2008, but they had known each other since high school. By nightfall, the fire was just 15 acres in size, though the town fire department warned residents: "Be on high alert if the wind changes direction.". The 29-year-old former "rookie of the year" on the elite "Hotshot" team, was a father of four, all of whom are younger than 6 years old. Her husband, Andrew, 29, was a former "rookie of the year" on the team and the father of four children, all younger than the age of 6. CBS News has seen paperwork showing Mr Ashcraft did infact earn a full-time salary as a firefighter for the city of Prescott. At 43, the North Carolina native was the oldest member of the Hotshot team and its founder. Much is made in For the first time, the danger seemed too close. "Did you hear that?" The elite team, Ashcraft said, were like a family. its emphasis on individual initiative and private conflicts in isolation Roxanne tried to prepare herself for the smell. Devastation is not soothed by a monetary award, Patrick J. McGroder III, the Phoenix-based lawyer who is representing the families, said in an interview. But the smoke was so thick crews could only guess at where to drop their loads. City officials declined multiple requests for an interview, but Monday they sent a statement. Autopsies of the 19 firefighters have been conducted, and an investigation into what happened here begun. Roxanne picked up Billie Grace and showed it to her. Hes the one who noticed a banner hanging high up on the brick wall inside the fire station and pointed it out to Roxanne. As they left the fire station, Roxanne washappy they made the trip. They got on the road, leaving baby Owen at home with a sitter. Mr. "I want to be able to just be mourning my husband, be supporting. A few feet away, someone had placed a sign that read, "Real Heroes Don't Wear Capes." understanding of the best way to fight wildfires, his crew must follow Read more here. She said she had been texting her husband throughout the day - with him telling her how much he loved and missed her, and how proud he was of their young children - until he abruptly stopped. In fact, he was one of 19 wildland firefighters who died in the line of duty that day, with just one member of the crew surviving. Through my experience, I have learned life is a gift. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! There, officials gave some details of what had happened. Her husband Andrew was 29 years old. Reach Bland at karina.bland@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8614. 'They died heroes,' she told azcentral.com as she wept. He was on a fire in Yarnell, a small town about 30 miles to the south, but there hadn't been a cause for concern. She is Roxanne Preston now, having married a man named Harry Preston last summer. Now the fire had shut down that route. Extraordinary moment shirtless Michael Clarke and Karl Stefanovic face off in a wild late-night scuffle - as MailOnline readers back Jeremy Clarkson to keep his job on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Nineteen American flags were brought to the scene, one to be draped over each man's body. Firefighters battling a blaze in Yarnell, Ariz., last year. That Sunday morning, Ashcraft and the other 19 members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew had been deployed to the ranching community of Yarnell to fight yet another wildfire. Jax the Staffy is rescued after being stuck in a cave for two days, Man knocked out by a pool cue in violent pub brawl, Motorists slowly drive down snowy hill in treacherous conditions. and how narrow narrative designs are methods for keeping uncomfortable From ankle weights to a pilates kit, 12 expert-approved picks for your fitness routine. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. They fought fires together. She never took her eyes off his casket until it was lowered into the ground. Hotshot) units and merely Though next-door to national forestland that regularly sees fire activity, this particular area had not burned in some 40 years and was deep into a drought making it far more susceptible to fire. Juliann Ashcraft insists that her husband was a full-time employee; she has hired a lawyer and is pondering a lawsuit over the issue, KPHO reports. meaning of their own andas in Only the Bravewhat filmmakers leave Andrew Ashcraft's widow wept in the audience as the Prescott, Ariz., retirement board decided her family deserved full-time survivor payments. Jeremy Hunt is mocked over toe-curling 'inflation explainer' video with Aldi and Lidl shoppers face highest inflation hikes: Cost of basic groceries rise by more than 20% at the Is inflation FINALLY on the way down? who is also Donuts most vicious harasser. I saw that it kept growing, Roxanne said. As a teenager, he attended fire camps. 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