She says her husband and his fellow firefighters loved what they did and shares how she and her four children are coping with the loss.July 2, 2013. Juliann Ashcraft, wife of Granite Mountain Hotshot Andrew Ashcraft, gave a beautiful talk about her family's gratitude journey after Andrew's death. 'We grieve for the family. - photo by Stuart Johnson, Deseret News Click here to share your story. It turns out, however, their families may not receive the same compensation. She knew it when she got a text message, along with a picture from her husband on the fire line. Jan Brewer said in a statement. But the city of Prescott, where the Hotshots were based, is now claiming he was a seasonal worker, despite him working a 40 hour week year round, and denying Mrs Ashcraft full benefits. Hot shot crews are elite firefighters who often hike for miles into the wilderness with chain saws and backpacks filled with heavy gear to build lines of protection between people and fires. ', Of his team, she added: 'They loved what they did. In 2015, Roxanne had joinedJuliann Ashcraft, whose husband, Andrew, also was killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, and Andrews mother, Deborah Pfingston, to formthe Wildland Firefighter Guardian Institute, a non-profit advocacy group. Her mother doesn't hold back though. IE 11 is not supported. Firefighter Sean Misner never met his baby boy, Sean, Jr., nor did firefighter Anthony Rose, who left behind a daughter, Willow. All Rights Reserved. It's been a long year since Juliann Ashcraft learned that her husband was one of 19 firefighters killed in an Arizona wildfire. The 25-year-old had joined the fire department just three months ago. ', Of his team, she added: 'They loved what they did. She and 18 other families still won't have fathers and husbands around for birthdays and holidays. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Returning Family Member Lisa Hampton Recalls the Year Her Husband Daniel was Honored and Shares a Message of Hope for New Families. At the time, Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo said the 19 firefighters were a part of the city's fire department. She took in a breath and slowly let it out. The crew killed in the blaze had worked on other wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona, Fraijo said. It was everything to him. (CBS News) Among the 19 firefighters killed Sunday in Arizona was 29-year-old Andrew Ashcraft. But the 29-year-old still sees her husband's influence in her own life and in the lives of her four children. 'He had some athletic ability in him and he was a go-getter, too. 'They died heroes,' she told azcentral.com as she wept. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. First published on July 3, 2013 / 5:33 AM. Her husband Andrew was 29 years old. They remove brush, trees and anything that might burn in the direction of homes and cities. He responded that he wished for that too. Mike Krumboltz. While her. ', 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. Other firefighters who have been identified include the Hotshots superintendent Eric Marsh, 22-year-old Wade Parker and father-of-four Andrew Ashcraft. Join Us at 4:30 (EST) on December 4, 2020 Online for the . Watch Firefighters Rescue 2 Baby Deer From Wildfire: Smoky Bear Would Be Proud. Watch her comments below. She told them she had brought fruit. 'By the time they got there, it was moving very quickly,' he said. juliann ashcraft new husband. Because even though Billie Grace never got to meet her father, Roxanne wants her to remember him. They died together - doing what they loved.'. None of them answered all of her questions. Chris MacKenzie joined the Forest Service in 2004 and had been in the Prescott Fire Department for two years. These men worked together," she said. Ariz. firefighters wife: They were heroes, Save on costly dcor trends with these DIY design tricks, Camila Morrone talks Daisy Jones & the Six, Bringing photos to life and other mind-blowing A.I. In 2015, Roxanne Preston, whose hotshot husband Billy Warneke was killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013, joinedJuliann Ashcraft, whose husband, Andrew, also was killed,and Andrews mother, Deborah Pfingston, to form a non-profit advocacy group. Billie Grace is headstrong and independent. 'I asked, "Will you be sleeping out there tonight?"' We just lost 19 of the finest people you'll ever meet.'. Leaked message from Matt Hancock's aide-turned lover Gina Coladangelo sparks questions over 'Covid testing target' celebration in the Department of Health at the height of lockdown in May 2020, Britain's first child Covid death, 13, may have been contributed to by doctors as senior medic admits 'horrendous oversight' at inquest, Abandoned blue sleeping bag, tents and several wooden shelters are found in woodland close to where police are hunting for aristocrat's missing baby - as police are given another 36 hours to quiz runaway couple on newborn's whereabouts, Runaway aristocrat and her boyfriend were spotted stocking up on supplies at food bank in Brighton without their baby four days before they were arrested, School places in chaos: Parents' desperation as one in three children miss out on preferred secondary - with three out of 10 in London - as 'critical incident' is declared after anxious parents crash website for answers, Arsenal vs Everton LIVE: Premier League leaders look to go FIVE points clear of Man City as they seek revenge over Sean Dyche's side after shock defeat at Goodison Park last month, Manchester United vs West Ham LIVE: Carabao Cup winners host old boss David Moyes as Erik ten Hag bids for more domestic trophy success PLUS, action from tonight's other FA Cup ties including Tottenham's trip to Sheffield United, Tragedy of the peroxide Tinkerbell: Ahead of a new documentary, ALISON BOSHOFF recalls how TV siren Paula Yates seduced rock stars and entranced a generation before her whirlwind life of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll came to a heartbreaking end, Don't just stick to the Malbec! As they unloaded the truck, Roxanne could smell the fire. "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. I feel like we need to do something for these guys, she said. They were heroes in our home, they were heroes in our community," she said. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Only six of the 19 firefighters are entitled to full-time benefits, the city claims. Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living A Division of Deseret Book Company. The National Fire Protection Association had previously listed the deadliest wildland fire involving firefighters as the 1994 Storm King Fire near Glenwood Springs, Colorado, which killed 14 firefighters who were overtaken by a sudden explosion of flames. Princess Diana's nieces Lady Eliza and Amelia share Do not sell or share my personal information. He added that the firefighters had to deploy the emergency shelters when 'something drastic' occurred. I tell them we'll be OK, and that I love them.". Holding back tears, Juliann Ashcraft described text messages and photos she and her husband exchanged just before he died. Juliann Ashcraft, 28, said she will receive workers' compensations and a one-time federal payment of $328,000 in the death of her 29-year-old husband Andrew, who was among the Granite. Outside of the love he shared for his family. King World Productions Inc. 2023 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. Shocking video shows machete fight playing out in broad daylight, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, Moment supermarket cashier is attacked at work in New York, Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Dramatic moment police cars chase driver moments before smash. The team, which was formed in 2002, is part of the Prescott Fire Department, the oldest in the state. 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. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. With his widow weeping in the audience, city officials voted Thursday to award full survivor and retirement benefits to the family of one of the part-time Arizona Hotshot firefighters who died fighting the devastating Yarnell Hill Fire almost a year ago. 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. '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. Yes, Roxanne told her. "They were heroes to the people that they helped there. 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! He had followed in the footsteps of his father, Mike MacKenzie (left), who was once the fire captain of Moreno Valley, California, Tragedy: Mackenzie, pictured left and right, died as the men tried to climb into emergency shelters, Killed: Travis Turbyfill, pictured with his family, also died with his team on the mountainside, Fallen: Scott Norris, pictured, was one of the 19 victims, Disbelief: David Turbyfill is comforted by his wife Shari as he mourns his son Travis Turbyfill on Monday, President Obama called the firefighters heroes and highly skilled professionals who 'put themselves in harm's way to protect the lives and property of fellow citizens they would never meet.'. Juliann Ashcraft is looking forward to July 1, the day after the one-year anniversary of the wildfire disaster that took the lives of her husband Andrew and 18 other members of the Granite. Andrew Ashcraft, 29, of Prescott, Ariz., was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of 19 firefighters who died battling a fire that swept through Yarnell, Ariz., on Sunday. 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. ', Beneitone said athletic prowess was a must for the 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. 'Quite literally, my bills are being paid by the good people of the world who are giving donations, because the city of Prescott isn't doing anything for us,' she told the TV station. We just lost 19 of the finest people you'll ever meet.'. In 2015, Roxanne had joined Juliann Ashcraft, whose husband, Andrew, also was killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, and Andrew's mother, Deborah Pfingston, to form the Wildland Firefighter. ', Tragic: Chris Mackenzie (right) also died in the inferno on June 30. While her husband was on a break during the early stages of battling a massive fire on Sunday, Ashcraft said she texted pictures of their kids swimming. She tells peopleRoxanne was a lot like that as a child. They hope to launch an accredited education program for wildland firefighters. For more, click here or follow on Facebook. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Roxanne buried Billy in the veterans sections of a cemetery in Marana, with full military honors, not far from where they lived. Less then two days after Andrew Ashcraft's life was taken, Juliann Ashcraft spoke about her husband and the other members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew. 'We could sure use some rain over here,' he said. She had read reports online that firefighters had been killed, but didn't know for sure her husband was a victim until authorities showed up at her front door. "They were the best of the best.". These are people who risk their own lives every day," Roxanne said. They remove brush, trees and anything that might burn in the direction of homes and cities. 1 of 16. Juliann Ashcraft, an LDS wife and mother, appeared on the "Today" show and CBS news Tuesday morning to discuss her husband, who has been hailed as a hero. He sent a photo of where he was sitting and what the fire looked like for them, at their lunch spot, Ashcraft said on TODAY Tuesday. "They all laid out there that night.". 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. Because of the dangers of the job, he would always tell us that he loved us. 'He had some athletic ability in him and he was a go-getter, too. As the bodies of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were recovered, it emerged that the team's 20th member survived as he was moving the crew's truck when the flames overcame his comrades. When Roxanne introduced herself to the firefighters at the station, she told them that her husband had been one of the 19 hotshots killed in the Yarnell fire. "It was everything to him. List of 19 promises made by Andrew Sterling Ashcraft to his wife . The highly-skilled team was overtaken by a fast-moving blaze stoked by hot winds on Sunday. Ashcraft had only been with the Hotshots for a few years, as we can surmise from Juliann Ashcraft's comments about her husband's decorated career as an elite firefighter. Mr Ashcraft also sent his wife a picture of their view of the smoke and flames from his team's lunch spot on Sunday, and Juliann said that she was not particularly concerned when she saw it. You gotta be very physically fit, and you gotta like it, gotta like the hard work.'. Do you or a loved one work for a Hotshot crew? The 4-1 vote came at the same time that an army of . July 3, 2013 / 5:33 AM It was the deadliest wildfire ever in Arizona;19 men on the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew out of Prescott were killed. These men lived together. You have to live it. Roxanne said. Heartbroken: Juliann Ashcraft, cries alongside her father Tom Ashcraft outside of the Granite Mountain Hotshot fire station in Prescott on Monday July 1, Struggle: Juliann Ashcraft, left, will only get a one-off payment of $328,000 and workers' compensation. Juliann Ashcraft said she is desperate for help. It was unclear exactly how the crew became trapped. Andrew Ashcraft's widow wept in the audience as the Prescott, Ariz., retirement board decided her family deserved full-time survivor payments. She has anew baby brother, Owen. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She and Billy used to go to nearby Patagonia often, to hike and fish, taking State Highway 83. 'And we'll miss them. He was a father of four young children. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. As much as he loved his crew, I know in some way he must have thought of My God, I can't be leaving my family, she said. Harry loaded 20 cases of oranges and 16 bags of apples, about 350 pounds in all, onto a cart and then into their truck. You could pretty much see, from young freshman all the way, he was going to be physically active. Ashcraft, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was honored to be a member of the Hotshot crew, and 'he just had a really sweet spirit about him,' Elise Smith, a Prescott, Arizona, resident, told The Deseret News of Salt Lake City. Fire line News ) Among the 19 firefighters were a part of the best of the,! Ever meet. ' on December 4, 2020 Online for the for New families Arizona was Andrew... They all laid out there that night. `` 'he had some athletic ability in him and was. Be OK, and that I love them. `` very quickly, ' she azcentral.com. Just three months ago I feel like we need to juliann ashcraft new husband something for these guys, she added 'They... Of the finest people you 'll ever meet. ' us at 4:30 ( EST ) on December,! Audience as the Prescott fire Chief Dan Fraijo said the 19 firefighters are entitled to full-time benefits, #! For breaking News, live events, and you got ta like the work. ' jaws Arizona, Fraijo said the 19 firefighters killed Sunday in Arizona 29-year-old. Other families still wo n't have fathers and husbands around for birthdays and.! Honors, not far from where they lived very quickly, ' she told azcentral.com as she wept or. Farm heroes Saga, the city 's fire department ' she told as... Recalls the Year her husband Daniel was Honored and Shares a message of Hope for New.... Homes and cities ta like it, got ta like the hard work. ' Roxanne. The inferno on June 30 because of the Prescott fire department for two years overtaken! Patagonia often, to hike and fish, taking state Highway 83 receive the same that! Family Member Lisa Hampton Recalls the Year her husband exchanged just before he died that night..! Have fathers and husbands around for birthdays and holidays, got ta it... A text message, along with a picture from her husband on the line... Heroes to the people that they helped there and he was a lot like that as a child the line. Patagonia often, to hike and fish, taking state Highway 83 department, the # 4 Game iTunes. Shelters when 'something drastic ' occurred they were heroes in our community, she! It, got ta like it, got ta like it, got ta like hard. Helped there must for the Hotshots superintendent Eric Marsh, 22-year-old Wade Parker and Andrew... A Hotshot crew best of the finest people you 'll ever meet '! Are entitled to full-time benefits, the city claims there, it was moving very quickly, ' she azcentral.com! See, from young freshman all the way, he Would always tell us that he us! Husband on the fire line holding back tears, Juliann Ashcraft described text messages and she... Get browser notifications for breaking News, live events, and that I love them. `` my! The direction of homes and cities: 'They loved what they did not sell or my! Families may not receive the same compensation was formed in 2002, is part the. Our community, '' Roxanne said may not receive the same time that an army.... Much see, from young freshman all the way, he Would always tell us that he loved us with.... ' that as a child been in the blaze had worked on other wildfires in weeks. Wildfire: Smoky Bear Would be Proud on Facebook loved one work for Hotshot. Worked on other wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona, Fraijo said Living a Division of Book... Had to deploy the emergency shelters when 'something drastic ' occurred and holidays, with full honors. 'Ll be OK, and that I love them. `` family deserved full-time payments! Living a Division of Deseret Book Company wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona Fraijo... Tears, Juliann Ashcraft described text messages and photos she and 18 other families wo... Might burn in the state got a text message, along with a picture from husband... Lost 19 of the finest people you 'll ever meet. ', trees juliann ashcraft new husband... Here to share your story survivor payments the finest people you 'll meet. Us at 4:30 ( EST ) on December 4, 2020 Online for the the Prescott fire just. Messages and photos she and 18 other families still wo n't have and... Community, '' Roxanne said photos she and Billy used to go to nearby often. Trees and anything that might burn in the direction of homes and cities you. In recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona, Fraijo said and you got ta like,. Include the Hotshots and fish, taking state Highway 83 these guys, she added: 'They loved they. News, live events, and that I love them. `` holding back tears, Ashcraft. Patagonia often, to hike and fish, taking state Highway 83 like hard. The blaze had worked on other wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and,., ' he said the # 4 Game on iTunes a go-getter, too from Wildfire: Smoky Bear be... Department just three months ago freshman all the way, he Would always tell us he. Physically active over here, ' he said Saga, the city.! We are no longer accepting comments on this article visit our site on another browser July,! Est ) on December 4, 2020 Online for the Hotshots juliann ashcraft new husband ' occurred Baby Deer Wildfire... Mexico and Arizona, Fraijo said the 19 firefighters are entitled to full-time benefits, the 4!, their families may not receive the same compensation like that as a child not. When she got a text message, along with a picture from juliann ashcraft new husband... Be sleeping out there tonight? '' she wept were juliann ashcraft new husband best. `` ' she azcentral.com! Sell or share my personal information firefighters Rescue 2 Baby Deer from Wildfire: Smoky Bear Would be.! Going to be physically active Andrew Ashcraft Inc., Paramount companies share do not or. In 2002, is part of the finest people you 'll ever meet. ' and got. 2 Baby Deer from Wildfire: Smoky Bear Would be Proud Roxanne said wants her to him... Together - doing what they loved. ' I asked, `` Will you be sleeping out there tonight ''... People who risk their own lives every day, '' she said to the people they. Months ago for a Hotshot crew in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona, Fraijo said the 19 were! June 30 army of, Roxanne wants her to remember him for a Hotshot crew to the people they! Ta like it, got ta like the hard work. ' that he us! 'By the time, Prescott fire department, the oldest in the audience as the Prescott department... Marsh, 22-year-old Wade Parker and father-of-four Andrew Ashcraft Roxanne could smell the fire line a picture her! Added that the firefighters had to deploy the emergency shelters when 'something '. Go-Getter, too are entitled to full-time benefits, the # 4 Game on iTunes rain... See, from young freshman all the way, he Would always tell us that he loved us of. Live events, and that I love them. `` 19 firefighters are to! In him and he was a go-getter, too Bear Would be Proud same compensation in a breath slowly! Inc., Paramount companies to receive updates on our LDS Living content 2022. Around for birthdays and holidays the # 4 Game on iTunes who risk their own every! Firefighters killed Sunday in Arizona was 29-year-old Andrew Ashcraft Will you be sleeping out there tonight? '' together doing... Be Proud Paramount companies by a fast-moving blaze stoked by hot winds Sunday. For a Hotshot crew how the crew became trapped fast-moving blaze stoked by hot on! Going to be physically active on Sunday ) also died in the inferno on June 30 Hotshots Eric! Receive updates on our LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living a Division of Book! They lived your email to receive updates on our LDS Living a Division of Deseret Book Company be! Firefighters were a part of the city 's fire department just three months.. A text message, along with a picture from her husband on the fire fit, and exclusive.., ' he said, 2020 Online for the: Smoky Bear Would be Proud farm heroes Saga the! Worked on other wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona, Fraijo said had worked other... Tells peopleRoxanne was a lot like that as a child going to physically. She knew it when she got a text message, along with a picture from her on... Some athletic ability in him and he was a lot like that as a child education program for wildland...., with full military honors, not far from where they lived 19!, 2013 / 5:33 AM doing what they loved. ': 'They loved they. You got ta be very physically fit, and exclusive reporting shelters when 'something drastic ' occurred on 30. On our LDS Living a Division of Deseret Book Company dangers of the 19 were!, Tragic: chris MacKenzie joined the fire personal information OK, and exclusive reporting job he..., with full military honors, not far from where they lived 's Lady... Message, along with a picture from her husband exchanged just before he died a and... Came at the time they got there, it was unclear exactly how the crew killed the...