A sign posted outside of the Prescott, Arizona, firehouse.
The 19 firefighters who gave their lives battling a horrific blaze in Yarnell, Arizona have been named by loved ones on the memorial Facebook page.
The lightning-sparked wildfire was aided in spreading by high heat, shifting winds and low-humidity. The blaze, which is currently ongoing, has spread to cover around 2,000 acres. The group were known as the “Granite Mountain Hotshots” and they were considered the Navy SEALS of firefighting. The elite group trained for years to earn the title of “Hotshots” and would often hike miles toward a fire with up to 40 pounds of gear on their bodies. The group’s website shows the guiding statement for the crew was:
Problem solving, teamwork, ability to make decisions in a stressful environment and being nice are the attributes of our crewmembers.
Here are your heroes…
Andrew Ashcraft, 29
Andrew Ashcraft and his family. (Facebook)
Robert Caldwell, 23
Travis Carter, 31
Dustin Deford, 24
Chris MacKenzie, 30
Chris Mackenzie. (Facebook)
Eric Marsh, 43
Fallen firefighter Eric Marsh (WSOCTV)
Grant McKee, 21
Grant McKee in 2009 Via Jason Soifer/The Daily Courier
Sean Misner, 26
Sean Misner at his wedding Via Facebook.
Scott Norris, 28
(Facebook)
Wade Parker, 22
(Facebook)
John Percin, 24
(Screenshot via KATU)
Anthony Rose, 23
Jesse Steed, 36
In this photo provided to Renton Patch by his brother, police officer Cassidy Steed, Jesse Steed is pictured with his wife, Desiree, and their children, 4-year-old Caden and 3-year-old Cambria.
Joe Thurston, 32
Screenshot via KUTV.
Travis Turbyfill, 27
William Warneke, 25
Clayton Whitted, 28
Kevin Woyjeck, 21
A photo of firefighter Kevin Woyjeck, held by his grandmother, Delores Woyjeck. (Facebook)
Garret Zuppiger, 27
(Via I’d Rather Be Flying)