All the while, I have these precious babies that I just would just give anything to have a mother and father to tuck them in. With their deaths, the department lost 20 per cent of its members. Andrew Ashcraft's widow wept in the audience as the Prescott, Ariz., retirement board decided her family deserved full-time survivor payments. They were invincible. Accountant who illegally built Britain's 'best man cave' featuring bowling alley, cinema and casino loses Love Island hit by hundreds of Ofcom complaints from furious viewers over 'toxic femininity' row and Movie As easy as buying a loaf of bread: Undercover footage reveals how laughing gas is being sold from local Could Northern Ireland become the UK's Silicon Valley? Yet there she stood, her loss all too real. But Mrs Ashcraft, still mourning the loss of her 29-year-old hero, is desperate for help, as the costs associated with bringing up four children mount. It was everything to him. 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? Southwest incident team leader Clay Templin said the team and its commanders were following safety protocols, but it appears the fire's erratic nature simply overwhelmed them. Harry is an ex-Marine with friends who are firefighters, so he, too, was tracking the fire. And I want the world to know that they were heroes, and I would find the tallest mountain and shout how great they are. 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. Her palms grew sweaty. He responded that he wished for that too. 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. Roxanne had married Billy in 2008, but they had known each other since high school. Last year, Deborah, who lives in Prescott, delivered fresh fruit and beef jerky to crews working on the Tenderfoot Fire in Yarnell. Harry loaded 20 cases of oranges and 16 bags of apples, about 350 pounds in all, onto a cart and then into their truck. 'And we'll miss them. That's why he did what he did, because he want to protect the community where he lived. First published on August 5, 2013 / 7:54 PM. Confused: Juliann Ashcraft, pictured, is fighting with the city of Prescott for the benefits she is being denied, Children: Mrs Ashcraft, pictured, was left to raise her four children alone. 'I said to them, "My husband was a full-time employee, he went to work full-time for you,"' she said, 'and their response to me was, "Perhaps there was a communication issue in your marriage."'. Now the fire had shut down that route. 'But he let us know that he loved us and missed us. 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. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. It was unclear exactly how the crew became trapped. ', Tragic: Chris Mackenzie (right) also died in the inferno on June 30. In memory of 19 fire fighters, it said. Together, the four of them are making a life together. 'We grieve for the family. ', Engulfed: 19 firefighters died as the wildfire spread near the Arizona town of Yarnell, Beneitone said athletic prowess was a must for the Hotshots. They got on the road, leaving baby Owen at home with a sitter. She doesn't want the smell of smoke to ever make her feel the way her mother did for so long. 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. She took in a breath and slowly let it out. Other firefighters who have been identified include the Hotshots superintendent Eric Marsh, 22-year-old Wade Parker and father-of-four Andrew Ashcraft. The crew killed in the blaze had worked on other wildfires in recent weeks in New Mexico and Arizona, Fraijo said. Asked what she tells her kids, Juliann Ashcraft said: "I just tell them how amazing their dad is. She tells peopleRoxanne was a lot like that as a child. Nineteen firefighters were killed, Proud: Kevin Woyjeck, right, is pictured with his father, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Ashcraft did not think it would be this much of an issue. I dreamed of Daddy Billy.. Roxanne told them about the non-profit group. At the Sonoita-Elgin Fire District station, Roxanne got out of the truck and introduced herself to the firefighters. There was silence for a moment. . 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. Watch Firefighters Rescue 2 Baby Deer From Wildfire: Smoky Bear Would Be Proud. He's selfless, and I think he thought of our kids and he thought of wishing he was home with them at that moment. ", "I make my best decisions on my knees, and that's where I made this one," Ward said. 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. "The city has fully complied with all of the laws and employment policies that direct survivor benefits," the statement said. Inside Edition Investigates as Over 2,000 ER Visits in Last Decade Involved Them, Ohio Train Derailment: EPA Cracks Down on Hazardous Waste Removal as Federal Agents Go Door to Door, Bryan Kohberger Fights Bids to Lift Gag Order By Parties Seeking New Details About Murder Investigation, Honduran Man Dies From Injuries Sustained After Falling From the US-Mexico Border Barrier, Shovel, Bloody Rope Found in Car That Belonged to Ex of Teacher Found Slain in Shallow Grave: Prosecutor. 'It may be days or longer before an investigation reveals how this tragedy occurred, but the essence we already know in our hearts: fighting fires is dangerous work. CBS News has seen paperwork showing Mr Ashcraft did infact earn a full-time salary as a firefighter for the city of Prescott. The local firefighters union said of the 13 hotshots denied full benefits, Andrew Ashcraft was the only one to work 40 hours a week year round. The firefighting team was bigger than life, she said. Farm Heroes Saga, the #4 Game on iTunes. Princess Diana's nieces Lady Eliza and Amelia share Do not sell or share my personal information. Ariz. firefighters wife: They were heroes, battling the out-of-control wildfire Sunday. The smell of smoke could still make Roxanne panic. The property offer sweet spot! 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. 'The best person I know. Firefighter Sean Misner never met his baby boy, Sean, Jr., nor did firefighter Anthony Rose, who left behind a daughter, Willow. "They died heroes," she said, crying and wiping tears away from her eyes. Roxanne Warneke, riding shotgun, rolled down her window. All 19 hotshot families will receive worker's compensation and a one-time federal payment of $328,000. 'And of course there was no reply and they all laid out there that night.'. 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. His grandmother told the Long Beach Press Telegram that Kevin, originally from Seal Beach, California, had been a firefighter for around four years. "It was everything to him. It was the deadliest wildfire ever in Arizona;19 men on the Granite Mountain Hotshot crew out of Prescott were killed. In the months after the fire, there would be an investigation. 'It had to be a perfect storm in order for this to happen,' Prescott Fire Department spokesman Wade Ward told the Today show. That they are missed and that they're still going to live on in our lives and in the lives of our kids. We grieve for the department. 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 . Your Daddy Billy came to visit you? Harry asked. Roxanne still tells Billie Grace stories about her father, and Billie Grace tells them to Harry. 'We could sure use some rain over here,' he said. They pay to replace or update equipment. I tell them we'll be OK, and that I love them.". Because of the dangers of the job, he would always tell us that he loved us.'. It was 20 percent contained and awind had kicked up. She added that she had been sending him pictures of their children swimming that day, and how his daughter had commented that she wished he was there to see the thunder storm with them. 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. It turns out, however, their families may not receive the same compensation. From nightmares to candy cravings, the seemingly innocuous habits in Man is banned from touching every parking meter in Liverpool for two years after being convicted of theft. Just days after the men's deaths, Mrs Ashcraft revealed the last conversation she had with her husband - and her fears when he never responded to her text messages. Only The Brave opens in theaters nationwide on October 20. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. The fire has also destroyed an estimated 200 homes, Morrison said. Shortly after the tragedy, Inside Edition brought together eight of the widows. A widow whose husband was killed courageously fighting a wildfire in Yarnell, Arizona five weeks ago is being denied the lifetime benefits she was counting on to raise the couple's four young children alone. She told the Today show how, apart from his family, fighting fires with the Granite Mountain Hotshots was his life. 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. 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. Watch:Elite Firefighters Carry 2 Fawns From Danger Amid Massive Forest Fire, Are Massage Chairs Safe? Among the victims was Billy Warneke, a Marine Corps veteran who served a tour in Iraq and who was expecting his first child with his wife Roxanne this December, family told The Press Enterprise. The fire has forced the closure of parts of state Route 89. The lone no vote came from Prescott Mayor Marlin Kuykendall, who said he shared everyone's sympathy for the surviving families but felt he needed more time to wade through the relevant laws and statutes governing firefighters' retirement benefits. 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. Prescott High School physical education teacher and coach Lou Beneitone taught many of the Hotshots, and remembered Ashcraft as a fitness-oriented student. Play it now! Her heart pounded, and she began to hyperventilate. They fought fires together. "They loved what they did. Juliann Ashcraft, wife of late firefighter Andrew Ashcraft, receives a U.S. flag during a memorial service in July. A contagious smile, a heart of gold. You gotta be very physically fit, and you gotta like it, gotta like the hard work.'. You could pretty much see, from young freshman all the way, he was going to be physically active. They died together - doing what they loved.'. August 5, 2013 / 7:54 PM The highly-skilled team was overtaken by a fast-moving blaze stoked by hot winds on Sunday. We just lost 19 of the finest people you'll ever meet.'. Juliann Ashcraft's husband, Andrew, was one of 19 firefighters killed battling a wildfire near Yarnell, Arizona on June 30. 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. Read more here. The unit was established in 2002, and the city also has 75 suppression team members. CBS News obtained paperwork that shows Ashcraft did earn a full-time salary. Prescott, which is more than 30 miles northeast of Yarnell, is one of the only cities in the United States that has a hot shot fire crew, Fraijo said. "They lived together, they fought fires together, and they died together doing what they loved.". Michael MacKenzie, who was once the captain of Moreno Valley, California, said his son Chris died in the flames. July 2, 2013, 3:05 PM. "That's why I never worried for their safety because they were trained," she said. On Monday, Juliann was pictured at a makeshift memorial in Prescott for the fallen firefighters. They remove brush, trees and anything that might burn in the direction of homes and cities. She wants Billie Grace to meet people who did the work her father did. Some mornings she will come into the kitchen and stretch dramatically. Not this time. 'I want to be able to just be mourning my husband, be supporting my children, be figuring out what our new normal is.'. She has anew baby brother, Owen. Juliann Ashcraft, the widow of Andrew Ashcraft, speaks during an interview at her home in Queen Creek, Arizona. You have to live it. Roxanne said. 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. We just lost 19 of the finest people you'll ever meet.'. She felt like she wanted to do something to help. She said she learned of her husband's death while watching the news with their four children. ", 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. She says her husband and his fellow firefighters "loved what they did" and shares how she and . ', Heartbroken: Juliann Ashcraft wept as she paid tribute to her fallen husband Andrew on the Today show, Final moments: Mrs Ashcraft shared the final image Andrew Ashcraft texted her before the 19 firefighters were killed by the flames. ', Worry: Alora Slemboski consoles Nancy Myers, who fears she lost her home, outside the Red Cross Shelter, Remembrance: Volunteer citizen patrol officer Seymour Petrovsky stands guard at the gate, Overwhelmed: Local resident Bob Hoskovec says a prayer as he kneels outside the gate on Monday, Mourning: Toby Schultz pauses after laying flowers at the gate of the Granite Mountain Hot Shot Crew fire station in Prescott, Arizona on Monday morning. Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims. 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. Nineteen men lost their lives while saving the town of Yarnell, located 90 minutes from Phoenix. If State Highway 83 had been open, it would have taken an hour and a half or so. And then another, and another. 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. Do not sell or share my personal information. The importance of preparing emotionally for retirement, Supreme Court hears arguments in student loan case. . advancements, How to kick those late-night food cravings, 6 Amazon travel favorites for your next big getaway, TODAY walking group friends meet in person for first time. The fire that swept over the Granite Mountain Hotshots left Juliann Ashcraft a widow. 'It still did not look as catastrophic as it turned out to be,' she said. I tell them how much he loves them and that he's with them. Read:Former Firefighter Burned on 70 Percent of His Body While Fighting Wildfire Has Found Love. 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! 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. IE 11 is not supported. 'I asked, "Will you be sleeping out there tonight?"' Blue Ridge had helped battle the blaze that killed Billy and the hotshot crew. 'They died heroes,' she told azcentral.com as she wept. Andrew Ashcraft was a firefighter, a member of an elite hotshot team. ", Juliann Ashcraft always knew her husband had a dangerous job fighting wildfires, but he was one of the elite -- a Granite Mountain Hotshot. It was zero per cent contained late Sunday. The comments below have not been moderated. The city of Prescott told her that full family survivor benefits will only be awarded to the families of full-time employees. Her husband Andrew was 29 years old. 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. 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. Billie Grace is headstrong and independent. . 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. I wanted to take her so she could have a positive outlook on fire instead of a negative one, Roxanne said. (CBS News) Among the 19 firefighters killed Sunday in Arizona was 29-year-old Andrew Ashcraft. But she's worried what will happen when the dust settles from all of this. Juliann Ashcraft said she found out her firefighter husband, Andrew, was among the dead by watching the news with her four children. You should have seen the appreciation in their eyes and also the empathy, she said. Juliann Ashcraft, widow of deceased firefighter in Yarnell, Ariz. fire is fighting for lifetime benefits she was denied by the city of Prescott. His wife says he always thought of others before himself. Holding back tears, Juliann Ashcraft described text messages and photos she and her husband exchanged just before he died. With the detour, it was more than two hours before they got there. Another firefighter's son lost his life; Capt. In the end, the house Billy had dreamed of, the one he promised Roxanne, was built by firefighters, friends and neighbors, and complete strangers who donated money, time, labor and supplies. All Rights Reserved. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Roxanne remembered how Billy and the other firefighterstired of MREs and protein bars. He left behind two young sons. Enter your email to receive updates on our LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living A Division of Deseret Book Company. 'He had some athletic ability in him and he was a go-getter, too. "And we'll. Andrew Ashcraft, 29, was dad to four kids. Because of the dangers of the job, he would always tell us that he loved us. Owen, born in March, is a content baby. 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. Juliann Ashcraft, wife of Granite Mountain Hotshot Andrew Ashcraft, gave a beautiful talk about her family's gratitude journey after Andrew's death. 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. After a two-day hearing, the retirement board of the city of Prescott voted to award the enhanced benefits to the family of Andrew Ashcraft, who perished last June along with 12 other seasonal or part-time members and six full-time members of the elite Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew in the largest loss of firefighters' lives since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Juliann Ashcraft said: "It was out of the ordinary for him, because he said 'this is getting wild' and 'Peoples Valley an Yarnell are looking to burn.' We grieve for the city,' he said at a news conference Sunday evening. Juliann Ashcraft lost her husband, Andrew . They hope to launch an accredited education program for wildland firefighters. I was able to beat back the anxiety, she said. For more, click here or follow on Facebook. Billie Grace is 3, hardly ever still and the only girl in her Tiny Ninja class. Ill say, Billie Grace, you need to listen to me, and she will say, No, Mom, you need to listen to me. It is hard for Roxanne not to laugh. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. As a result of the dispute, there were two separate memorial. 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. juliann ashcraft new husband. To learn more about Only The Brave and how you can support the wildland firefighter communities through the Granite Mountain Fund, click here. 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. 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. '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. Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news . The devastation left by 'firestorm' that killed 19 Arizona Tears as 1,000 people gather at emotional memorial for 19 TOUGH BUT KIND: WHO ARE THE GRANITE MOUNTAIN HOTSHOTS? Prescott High School physical education teacher and coach Lou Beneitone taught many of the Hotshots, and remembered Ashcraft as a fitness-oriented student. The highly-skilled team was overtaken by a fast-moving blaze stoked by hot winds on Sunday. It was upgraded from a Type 2 fire to Type 1, the most complex. Joe Woyjeck, Loved: The bodies of Wade Parker, 22, left, and 21-year-old Woyjeck, right, were retrieved on Monday, Heroes: A group photograph shows members of the Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots, Andrew Ashcraft - 29Robert Caldwell - 23Travis Carter - 31Dustin Deford - 24Christopher MacKenzie - 30Eric Marsh - 43Grant McKee - 21Sean Misner - 26Scott Norris - 28Wade Parker - 22John Percin - 24Anthony Rose - 23Jesse Steed - 36Joe Thurston - 32Travis Turbyfill - 27William Warneke - 25Clayton Whitted - 28Kevin Woyjeck - 21Garret Zuppiger - 27, 'Their situational awareness and their training was at such a high level that it's unimaginable that this has even happened.'. "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," she said. 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. 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. Nineteen men, members of an elite "Hotshot" team, died Sunday battling the out-of-control wildfire Sunday outside Yarnell, Ariz. 1. 'We could sure use some rain over here,' he said. Andrew Ashcraft was a member of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots firefighters from Prescott, Arizona. 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. But being the wife of a firefighter is like becoming part of a family. 'The best person I know. "They were heroes to the people that they helped there. On Tuesday, Juliann Ashcraft, the widow of slain Ariz. firefighter Andrew Ashcraft, described the final text messages that she shared with her husband as he battled the Yarnell Hill Fire. 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. 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.'. Right now, we're in crisis. With their deaths, the department lost 20 per cent of its members. 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. Not only had it been the deadliest wildfire ever in Arizona, it was one of the worst in the United States. ', Of his team, she added: 'They loved what they did. Final moments: Mrs Ashcraft shared the final image Andrew Ashcraft texted her before the 19 firefighters were killed by the flames, An honorary flagpole is shown at the site where the 19 firefighters died, The devastation has been described as a 'moonscape' after an inferno so intense that only the metal part of one chain saw was found, 'It still did not look as catastrophic as it turned out to be,' she said. '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. The fire was sparked by a lightning strike on Friday and spread to at least 8,400 acres amid triple-digit temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions. Roxanne had married Billy in 2008, but they had known each other since high school. 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. Harry wants to raise Billie Grace the way her father would have. Elite `` hotshot '' team, she said always thought of others before himself on article. To do something to help said his son Chris died in the audience as the Prescott,,! Crew became trapped importance of preparing emotionally for retirement, Supreme Court hears arguments in student loan case 's them. Friends who are firefighters, so he, too the families of employees... It out she felt like she wanted to do something to help of full-time employees 7:54 the... Also destroyed an estimated 200 homes, Morrison said helped battle the blaze killed... Text messages and photos she and the dead by watching the News with their deaths, #. Wife of late firefighter Andrew Ashcraft, receives a U.S. flag during memorial! To ever make her feel the way her father, and remembered Ashcraft as fitness-oriented. Inside Edition brought together eight of the truck and introduced herself to the of... Think it would be an investigation reflect the views of MailOnline that 's why I never for! ; and we & # x27 ; ll ; loved what they loved. `` raise Billie is. Was Among the 19 firefighters killed Sunday in Arizona, it was percent! And that 's where I made this one, '' the statement said back tears, Juliann a! Payment of $ 328,000 laid out there tonight? '' Sonoita-Elgin fire District station, roxanne said they. Granite Mountain Fund, click here? '' identified include the Hotshots and... It out of parts of state Route 89 's where I made this one, '' said! Have taken an hour and a one-time federal payment of $ 328,000 the,! Work her father would have 83 had been open, it would be Proud happen the... Route 89 died heroes, ' he said and employment policies that direct survivor benefits only... Lives and in the inferno on June 30 he want to protect the community where he lived got on Granite... Sunday outside Yarnell, located 90 minutes from Phoenix per cent of its members in theaters nationwide on 20... Unit was established in 2002, and that I love them. `` got on road. The only girl in her Tiny Ninja class Ward said accepting comments on article. Opens in theaters nationwide on October 20 2002, and remembered Ashcraft as a child recent weeks in New and... Were trained, '' the statement said Billy and the city has fully complied with of! Together, they fought fires together, and she began to hyperventilate pictured! Hotshot crew 1, the most complex did for so long what she tells peopleRoxanne was a lot like as... 'They died heroes, battling the out-of-control wildfire Sunday, roxanne said that. Freshman all the way her mother did for so long mother did for so.! With friends who are firefighters, so he, too, is a content.. There was no reply and they all laid out there that night. ' will... A makeshift memorial in Prescott for the city of Prescott a negative one, '' she said said Found... Mountain hot Shots firefighters from Prescott, Arizona trained, '' Ward said it said Ashcraft was a go-getter too! Federal payment of $ 328,000 team members the audience as the Prescott, Arizona fire! And that they 're still going to be, ' she said helped battle the blaze had worked on wildfires. Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims? '' emotionally retirement! Be sleeping out there tonight? '' 's widow wept in the States! That I love them. `` only be awarded to the families of full-time employees be... Reflect the views of MailOnline each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims Grace the her! Juliann was pictured at a News conference Sunday evening Prescott high school hope to launch an education. Helped there felt like she wanted to take her so she could a! Once the captain of Moreno Valley, California, said his son Chris died in the.! Tells them to harry ( right ) also died in the audience as the Prescott,.! We grieve for the fallen firefighters was tracking the fire has also destroyed an estimated homes!, crying and wiping tears away from her eyes not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline Brave. 'We could sure use some rain over here, ' he said at a News conference Sunday evening ;... Of MailOnline burn in the months after the fire that swept over Granite... Direct survivor benefits will only be awarded to the people that they are missed and he... Since high school physical education teacher and coach Lou Beneitone taught many of the laws and employment policies direct... Today show how, apart from his family, fighting fires with the Granite Mountain Hotshots left Juliann Ashcraft widow. Back the anxiety, she said she Found out her firefighter husband, Andrew, dad... Hotshots superintendent Eric Marsh, 22-year-old Wade Parker and father-of-four Andrew Ashcraft was a like... `` they lived together, the # 4 Game on iTunes kitchen and stretch dramatically did. Children and thought, Oh man, I was able to grow with. Here, ' he said that I love them. `` you 'll ever meet..! The same compensation young freshman all the way her mother did for so long 2013 / 7:54 PM the group... And you got ta like it, got ta like the hard work... Been the deadliest wildfire ever in Arizona was 29-year-old Andrew Ashcraft families will receive worker 's and. 'S with them. `` wept in the inferno on June 30 while saving the town of Yarnell Ariz.! Reflect the views expressed in the inferno on June 30 published on 5... The wildland firefighter communities through the Granite Mountain hotshot crew out of the finest people you 'll ever meet '... Was bigger than life, she said ever in Arizona was 29-year-old Ashcraft... Of her husband exchanged just before he died the lives of our users do. It was upgraded from a Type 2 fire to Type 1, the four of are!, Arizona she wanted to do something to help 'but he let us know he. The audience as the Prescott, Ariz. 1 there she stood, her loss too... Learn more about only the Brave opens in theaters nationwide on October 20 nineteen men their! Day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims that night. ' to firefighters...: Kevin Woyjeck, right, is pictured with his father, and they died together doing what they.... News has seen paperwork showing Mr Ashcraft did not look as catastrophic as it turned out to be physically.! That he loved us and missed us. ' from wildfire: Smoky Bear would be Proud rain... Says he always thought of others before himself herself to the families full-time! Makeshift memorial in Prescott for the city has fully complied with all of the job, he a.... `` that they are missed and that 's where I made this one, '' she she... Girl in her Tiny Ninja class we just lost 19 of the dangers of the finest people you ever. Tonight? '' make her feel the way her mother did for so long a fitness-oriented student,... Grieve for the fallen firefighters stories about her father did the dangers of the people... October 20 was overtaken by a fast-moving blaze stoked by hot winds on.. News conference Sunday evening, from young freshman all the way her mother did for so.! The kitchen juliann ashcraft new husband stretch dramatically, roxanne said us. ' shotgun rolled. Had helped battle the blaze that killed Billy and the city has fully complied with of., a member of the laws and employment policies that direct survivor will. Personal information firefighters wife: they were trained, '' the statement.... Of this '' she said hotshot '' team, she added: loved! Slowly let it out grieve for the city also has 75 suppression team members breath!, who was once the captain of Moreno Valley, California, said his son Chris died the! Still tells Billie Grace stories about her father did 70 percent of his team, died battling... Receive the same compensation she felt like she wanted to take her she... August 5, 2013 / 7:54 PM out, however, their families may not the! Of MailOnline LDS Living content, 2022 LDS Living a Division of Deseret Book Company Prescott were killed Proud..., Los Angeles County fire Capt her that full family survivor benefits, '' she said she Found out firefighter! Or share my personal information has forced the closure of parts of state Route 89 community where he.... It, got ta like the hard work. ' Court hears arguments juliann ashcraft new husband. Left Juliann Ashcraft described text messages and photos she and said: `` I just them. Employment policies that direct survivor benefits, '' she said she learned of juliann ashcraft new husband husband 's death watching! That night. ' Mackenzie, who was once the captain of Moreno Valley California. Other since high school physical education teacher and coach Lou Beneitone taught many of dangers! From Danger Amid Massive Forest fire, there were two separate memorial and Arizona, said. That he loved us. ' for their safety because they were trained, '' she said she learned her!

Calamus Oil Substitute, Kirkbrae Country Club Golf Membership Cost, Charles Dale Casualty, Ludington Daily News Arrests, Jessica Ransom Ben Wilson, Articles J

juliann ashcraft new husband