'We grieve for the family. Her husband Andrew was 29 years old. U.S. wildfire disasters date back more than two centuries and include tragedies like the 1949 Mann Gulch fire near Helena, Montana, that killed 13, or the Rattlesnake blaze four years later that claimed 15 firefighters in Southern California. Only The Brave opens in theaters nationwide on October 20. 'We could sure use some rain over here,' he said. Mr Ashcraft, like his colleagues, was protecting the people of Yarnell when he died, tragically leaving his young family without a husband, father or income. She and Billy used to go to nearby Patagonia often, to hike and fish, taking State Highway 83. At the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District station, Roxanne got out of the truck and introduced herself to the firefighters. What she couldn't explain to her children -- ages 6, 4, 2, and 1 -- was how their father died with 18 of his fellow Hotshots in fire shelters, a last resort. . 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. How did this happen? She took in a breath and slowly let it out. She said she learned of her husband's death while watching the news with their four children. 'And of course there was no reply and they all laid out there that night.'. They were invincible. The comments below have not been moderated. Watch Live: Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Intel review says "very unlikely" foreign adversary behind "Havana Syndrome", Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. CBS News has seen paperwork showing Mr Ashcraft did infact earn a full-time salary as a firefighter for the city of Prescott. First published on July 3, 2013 / 5:33 AM. All 19 hotshot families will receive worker's compensation and a one-time federal payment of $328,000. The fire has also destroyed an estimated 200 homes, Morrison said. Juliann is related to Terry C Ashcraft and Olive Ellen Ashcraft as well as 3 additional people. Roxanne still tells Billie Grace stories about her father, and Billie Grace tells them to Harry. These are people who risk their own lives every day," Roxanne said. Juliann Ashcraft, widow of Andrew Ashcraft, one of the 19 fallen firefighters from the Yarnell Hill Fire, was one of the most outspoken proponents arguing that the 13 seasonal members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew deserved full-time benefits. It was zero per cent contained late Sunday. Krista Carter's husband, Travis, was a father of two. She tells peopleRoxanne was a lot like that as a child. I've told them every chance I've gotten since then, 'Your dad loves you, and he's with you,' and they just call him their angel and they said they'll see him in heaven. My Daddy Billy? Billie Grace asked. "I vote yes.". "They were heroes to the people that they helped there. Watch Firefighters Rescue 2 Baby Deer From Wildfire: Smoky Bear Would Be Proud. Highly trained: Members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots (pictured last year) had been fighting wildfire in New Mexico and elsewhere in Arizona, Flames: Fire crews can be seen as a wildfire burns homes in the Glenn Ilah area near Yarnell, Arizona Sunday, Tragedy: Winds from a thunderstorm fanned the flames toward the tragic 19 hotshots, but fire chiefs did not pull out their men in time, Destroyed: The report said that by keeping crews on the mountain they were prioritizing the safety of property before the lives of its firefighters. Together, the four of them are making a life together. Firefighter Sean Misner never met his baby boy, Sean, Jr., nor did firefighter Anthony Rose, who left behind a daughter, Willow. Click here to share your story. 'As shocked as I was that my husband went to work and never came home, I'm equally shocked in how the city has treated our family since then,' Mrs Ashcraft, whose youngest child is just 18 months old, told CBS News. I was able to beat back the anxiety, she said. And she wasglad she brought Billie Grace. Loss: Kevin Woyjeck, left, and Wade Parker, right, were among the firefighters who lost their lives on Sunday as they tried to battle a massive wildfire in Yarnell Hill, Arizona. It turns out that, just a few weeks after the tragedy, one widow, More than once, Mr. Kuykendall had argued against extending benefits for Ms. Ashcraft and her children, telling The Associated Press last fall that it was very obvious she was motivated by greed. Their focus is wildland firefighter safety:"We will champion firefighter safety through independent investigations, education and real life support for firefighter, family and the fire community.". Officials have called the fire the worst wildland tragedy in 80 years. To join, candidates must complete a boot camp-style test to prove they are in peak physical condition. "I don't think my daughter knows her dad is not going to walk her down the aisle, and my sons know he won't be their coach and those sorts of things," she continued. Members trained by running, hiking, yoga, doing core exercises and weight training. List of 19 promises made by Andrew Sterling Ashcraft to his wife . The 4-1 vote came at the same time that an army of . Jan Brewer said in a statement. Mrs Ashcraft sobbed as she recounted the bravery of her beloved husband and his close unit of highly-trained 'hotshot' colleagues, who were overcome by the ferocious flames in Yarnell. Juliann Ashcraft, the widow of Andrew Ashcraft, speaks during an interview at her home in Queen Creek, Arizona. ', Of his team, she added: 'They loved what they did. They are happy. We grieve for the city,' he said at a news conference Sunday evening. 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It was someone from Blue Ridge who had picked up the crew's lookout, the only survivor. They fought fires together. As she kept watch on the Sawmill Fire,Roxanne sent a Facebook message to Deborah. (CBS News) Among the 19 firefighters killed Sunday in Arizona was 29-year-old Andrew Ashcraft. 'I want to be able to just be mourning my husband, be supporting my children, be figuring out what our new normal is.'. Do not sell or share my personal information. But the city is refusing to pay Mrs Ashcraft her husband's lifetime salary and health benefits, which together are worth millions, because it insists he was among 13 of the squad who were seasonal employees rather than full-timers. The 25-year-old had joined the fire department just three months ago. They died together - doing what they loved.'. It turns out, however, their families may not receive the same compensation. The optimal number of days a home needs to be on the market to get the best 'Beautiful' daughter, 20, collapses and dies suddenly in her heartbroken father's arms despite his efforts ISIS fanatic jailed over the gruesome beheading of two Scandinavian women hikers in Morocco that shocked the Shamima Begum and other British women who joined Islamic State and are being held in Syria will 'ultimately' An everyday tale of prejudiced folk: Archers listeners are accused of 'racism' for failing to tell men with Health scare for down there! Helicopters had been unable to reach the highly-trained men as they fought the flames in Yarnell and they could not be saved by their emergency shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames and heat. I looked at my four children and thought, Oh man, I was able to grow up with a daddy and they wont. My heart breaks for them every day, said his widow.Marcina Thurston had been with her husband, Joe, since their sophomore year in high school. Prescott High School physical education teacher and coach Lou Beneitone taught many of the Hotshots, and remembered Ashcraft as a fitness-oriented student. worst suburbs in logan; religious persecution in germany 1800s; uclan tuition fees payment; jones beach food 2021; what does dcs look for in a home visit Owen, born in March, is a content baby. But being the wife of a firefighter is like becoming part of a family. 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. Watch Live: Closing arguments begin in double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, Intel review says "very unlikely" foreign adversary behind "Havana Syndrome", Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, Watch Live: Garland testifies amid ongoing special counsel investigations, Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students. Family photographs reveal a picture perfect family as Juliann and Andrew are seen grinning and kissing, as well as laughing along with their four young children. Holding back tears, Juliann Ashcraft described text messages and photos she and her husband exchanged just before he died. the house Billy had dreamed of, the one he promised Roxanne, was built by firefighters, friends and neighbors, and complete strangers, They focus on safety for wildland firefighters, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 1 of 16. Outside of the love he shared for his family. The heartbroken wife of Andrew Ashcraft, a father-of-four who was killed by the Arizona wildfire with 18 of his firefighting comrades on Sunday, has revealed their last conversation - and her fears when he never responded to her messages. 'By the time they got there, it was moving very quickly,' he said. All Rights Reserved. Nearly the whole teams was wiped out by the fire, Devastated: Nancy Myers speaks to her boss to let him know that she won't be able to make it into work, Tears: A group of girls cry after placing flowers at a make-shift memorial outside the Prescott fire station, Loss: Flowers hang on the fence outside the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station. Helicopters had been unable to reach the highly-trained men as they fought the flames in Yarnell and they could not be saved by their emergency shelters - tent-like structures meant to shield them from flames and heat. ', Beneitone said athletic prowess was a must for the Hotshots. We grieve for the department. Ashcraft's widow, Juliann Ashcraft, who has been the most prominent family member fighting to win full benefits for the families of the seasonal Hotshots, didn't testify at the hearing, but she was present for the vote and could be seen crying as the board sided with her, the local Prescott ENews website reported. His wife says he always thought of others before himself. The crew had battled fires in New Mexico and Arizona in recent weeks. "They died heroes," she said, crying and wiping tears away from her eyes. It was everything to him. 'I asked, "Will you be sleeping out there tonight?"' Select this result to view Juliann Ashcraft's phone number, address, and more. "They died heroes," she said, wiping away tears. 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. Bryan Kohberger Fights Bids to Lift Gag Order By Parties Seeking New Details About Murder Investigation . Older Americans increasingly struggling to save for retirement. But she's worried what will happen when the dust settles from all of this. Asked what probably went through his mind when he pulled out his fire shelter, Juliann Ashcraft said: "I think probably in that last moment, we have four babies. Andrew Ashcraft was a firefighter, a member of an elite hotshot team. Juliann Ashcraft said she learned that her husband, Andrew, 29, was among the dead by watching the news with her four children. Returning Family Member Lisa Hampton Recalls the Year Her Husband Daniel was Honored and Shares a Message of Hope for New Families. Because of the dangers of the job, he would always tell us that he loved us. EXCLUSIVE: Lanzarote sticks to its guns and insists it WILL limit tourists and move away from relying on Jeremy Clarkson is axed as Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? David Wallace / The Arizona Republic via AP file, the local Prescott ENews website reported, less than 100 miles from where their 19 Granite Mountain colleagues died. Andrew Ashcraft's mother, Deborah Pfingston, also spoke with CBS News' Carter Evans about her son. 'One of the last fail safe methods that a firefighter can do under those conditions is literally to dig as much as they can down and cover themselves with a protective - kinda looks like a foil type - fire-resistant material - with the desire, the hope at least, is that the fire will burn over the top of them and they can survive it,' Fraijo said. ", In the end, Ward said he voted to grant the enhanced benefits because "the facts in this case, in my opinion, appear to be that Andrew deserves what they are asking for. That is not common language, because usually he gets a thrill form the fire, a thrill from being there helping, and this was a different scenario.". "They were the best of the best.". The Red Cross has opened two shelters in the area - at Yavapai College in Prescott and at the Wickenburg High School gym. They died together - doing what they loved.'. You could pretty much see, from young freshman all the way, he was going to be physically active. Top nutrition scientist says you should drink as many varieties as possible 'because it's good for your gut', Andrew Ashcraft, 29, died beside 18 of his 'Hotshot' comrades on June 30, He left behind his young wife, Juliann, and their four children, the youngest of whom is 18 months, Five weeks after the tragedy, Mrs Ashcraft has been denied the full lifetime benefits she was relying on to raise the couple's children, City of Prescott claims the Hotshot was one of 13 firefighters who were 'seasonal' workers, They say she is therefore only entitled to worker's compensation and a one off payment of $328,000, But Mr Ashcraft actually worked 40 hours a week all year round. Not this time. Juliann said she sent her husband a photo of their four children, all under 6, swimming. He often asks Roxanne, What do you think Billy would want?. They got on the road, leaving baby Owen at home with a sitter. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story", Bipartisan Senate group unveils rail safety bill in response to Ohio derailment, What to know about Shigella bacteria as drug-resistant strain spreads, Fallen firefighter's mom talks son's death, finals moments, New FDA-approved drug can slow vision loss, Lawsuits claim dental device wrecked teeth, Murdaugh trial heads into closing arguments, Fire shelters fail to protect elite fire crew from Ariz. blaze, Shock over loss of 19 Ariz. firefighters in wildfire, A look at deadly U.S. fire crew incidents, How you can help victims of the Yarnell Hill fire. He's selfless, and I think he thought of our kids and he thought of wishing he was home with them at that moment. What's the next step for she and her children? ', In love: Juliann, right, is pictured with Andrew Ashcraft, left, in happier times, Heartbreaking: Not only was Juliann Ashcraft, pictured, devastated to lose her husband, she is now facing raising their four children without the benefits she is entitled to. On Monday, Juliann was pictured at a makeshift memorial in Prescott for the fallen firefighters. You could pretty much see, from young freshman all the way, he was going to be physically active. She told the Today show how, apart from his family, fighting fires with the Granite Mountain Hotshots was his life. The 4-1 vote came at the same time that an army of Hotshots from around the West was returning to the area to battle a fire near Slide Rock State Park less than 100 miles from where their 19 Granite Mountain colleagues died. "And we'll. the adventure of the mysterious picture summary, coda shop myanmar, what is a private savings note, scott reese nhl she's out of my league, eric church house north carolina, kelly kinicki city on a hill, jennifer riordan settlement, harriman state park dogs, outrigger . ', Tragic: Chris Mackenzie (right) also died in the inferno on June 30. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, stretched out over more than 40,000 acres. The area has not suffered a fire in 40 years. 'It had to be a perfect storm in order for this to happen,' Prescott Fire Department spokesman Wade Ward told the Today show last month. Others were found outside them. July 3, 2013 / 5:33 AM Only The Brave isan upcoming film starring Josh Brolin and Jennifer Connelly, which documents the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a heroic firefighting team overtaken by a raging Arizonawildfire in 2013. 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Eighteen of the 19 firefighters who lost their lives were part of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite firefighting team from Prescott, Arizona. she told the Today show as she struggled to hold back the tears. Watch:Elite Firefighters Carry 2 Fawns From Danger Amid Massive Forest Fire, Are Massage Chairs Safe? - photo by Stuart Johnson, Deseret News Juliann Ashcraft said she found out her firefighter husband, Andrew, was among the dead by watching the news with her four children. Overwhelmed with gratitude for the strangers who sent letters and cards and offered support, Ashcraft converted a 40-foot Greyhound bus into a home on wheels and hit the road with her . Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. A contagious smile, a heart of gold. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12, Juliann Ashcrafts husband, Andrew, was one of the 19 firefighters killed in Arizona on Sunday. 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