"None of us ever did it for money. Four years ago, the Granite Mountain Hotshots died battling a horrifying wildfire in Yarnell. Yet it also offers a timely reminder that stories are decisions, that … You just overcome.". "I sunk. But images of his daughter crept into his head. You don't quit. Directed by Joseph Kosinski. A firefighter walked up to Diane Helm, who was in her yard surveying damage after the fire. Wasn't a bad decision.". But by then the 21-year-old elite wildland firefighter -- whom his fellow Hotshots affectionately called "Donut" in a play on his last name -- knew the horrible truth that their own families did not yet know, as he sat in the seat absorbing the magnitude of what was happening. On the morning of June 30, all 20 members of Prescott, Arizona's Granite Mountain Hotshots headed into the mountains to protect the small town of Yarnell from an advancing blaze. Every one of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, except for McDonough, was burned alive sometime after 4:30 p.m. on June 30, when the Yarnell Hill Fire suddenly whipped 180 degrees around and cut off their escape route from a scrub brush meadow to a nearby ranch. Almost two hours after it was reported at 4:47 p.m. that the Hotshots had deployed protective personal shelters, an Arizona state paramedic hiked up to the site of torched chaparral and confirmed the worst. At 4:47, it was reported over the radio that McDonough's crewmates had been forced to deploy their individual fire shelters -- a last ditch step. Brendan McDonough, 21, is the lone survivor of the 20-man team that went into the Yarnell Hill Fire as it spread throughout central Arizona. The lone survivor from the 20-man crew was 21-year-old Brendan McDonough. Prescott Fire Chief Dan Fraijo later confirmed that all 19 were from the Granite Mountain Hotshots. The men gave their lives to protect Yarnell. A harrowing tale of resilience in the face of tragedy, My Lost Brothers is a powerful reminder of the heroism of the people who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. "Whoever didn't bring their phone, I could hear phones ringing, knowing that it was their wives, their family," McDonough recounted in an exclusive interview with ABC News to air on "Good Morning America" today. Why aren't they sitting here with me?'" \"We need to get back in here. I was the only person they're going to see," McDonough said. Just -- a typical day, going direct on a fire," he told ABC News. The structural firefighting mentality “is dangerously seeping into the wildland realm and needs to be stopped,” Schoeffler warned. Lone survivor Brendan McDonough and Only the Brave moviemakers honor the Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in Arizona in 2013 The board is considering a request from Juliann Ashcraft, the widow of one of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who died last year, for full survivor and retirement benefits even though her … No one. Jan Brewer and other state officials quickly repudiated Payne, who isn't involved in the probe, for offering his opinions before all the facts are in. If you are interested in booking him for a speaking event please visit the link below. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Brendan McDonough lost 19 friends in the Yarnell Hill fire and asks why he was spared. The art of storytelling is treacherous, and the new film Only the Brave, released last Friday, is among the more noteworthy recent displays of the arts peculiarities and pitfalls. "No, I never question the decisions they've made," he said, seated in the ready room beneath crossed axes affixed to one wall. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. OUR VISION is an exemplary, one-of-a kind wildland fire learning center that honors the legacy of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew by educating, inspiring, and motivating visitors to adopt behaviors that prevent wildland fires, resulting in fewer fire-related fatalities. This October, it’s not about what’s standing in front of you. Covered in soot over his bright yellow protective clothing and heavy boots as darkness fell on June 30, waves of guilt for being the only Hotshot spared death was a gut punch made all the more painful by the chirping phones behind him in the buggy. The Helms were among the first to find out that a crew of 19 firefighters had died nearby. McDonough survived simply because he'd been chosen that day for an important job -- he was the crew's lookout a half mile away watching "fire behavior" and monitoring weather changes -- and he was able to escape the cascade of flames shooting as high as 50 feet. #OnlyTheBrave, based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots only in theaters. PHOENIX — Brendan McDonough survived one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history, an inferno near Yarnell, Ariz., that killed 19 of his fellow Granite Mountain Hotshots on June 30, 2013. The newspaper reports that the lone survivor from the Granite Mountain Hotshots, Brendan McDonough who was serving as a lookout away from the crew during the tragedy, overheard a … The book is part of it, he told The Arizona Republicon Friday, saying he hopes people who struggle with addiction, grief and PTSD realize there's hope for a better life. Instead of moving north, it started moving south as the flame front leapt from 25 to 50 feet high. ... Christopher MacKenzie and the crew’s sole survivor, Brendan McDonough. "From where they were, they could see it picking up. "I have no clue," says lone hotshot survivor Brendan McDonough. He was the only one to survive. The blond, rail-thin veteran of three fire seasons led ABC News through the crew's station, a place once a center of activity in fire season but now sorrowfully quiet and filled with U.S. flags signed by fire squads, commemorative wood carvings, postcards and letters of gratitude from many whose homes were saved by the Hotshots, as well as children's playful drawings saying "thank you." The crew had 11 kids among them, including McDonough's own two-year-old daughter, and three not yet born who lost dads they'll never meet. On June 30, firefighters with the Prescott Fire Department's interagency Granite Mountain Hotshots were overrun and killed by the fire. is the lone survivor of the Yarnell Hill fire tragedy of 2013. In this exclusive documentary by Dan Winters and Kyle Dickman, friends, family, and the lone survivor of the Granite Mountain Hotshots speak … Lone survivor Brendan McDonough and Only the Brave moviemakers honor the Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in Arizona in 2013 The Granite Mountain Inter-agency Hotshots had been protecting the city with over $3.1 billion in assessed value, over 18,000 homes and 24,000 residents. Building a sense of brotherhood within communities gives McDonough great joy – because it helps this fighter honor the legacy of his 19 lost, but not forgotten, brothers. Once the smoke began to clear, Arizona DPS Paramedic-Officer Eric Tarr was lowered by helicopter to the area to triage any survivors and found what he later called a "moonscape appearance." ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report. Arizona Hotshots firefighters 'died from burns and inhalation problems' This article is more than 7 years old. Photos of the 19 fallen Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters and Brendan McDonough, the lone survivor, in Prescott, Ariz., in (Julie Jacobson . Today he is. Soon after, he began the long journey of therapy. The wildfire killed 18 of 20 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew. "Coming home, that was the worst feeling ever. Based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a group of elite firefighters who risk everything to protect a town from a historic wildfire. Before, why should I question them now horrifying wildfire in Yarnell others and save his.. Journey of therapy it 's not something you wan na hear, '' he told News! A harrowing story of those men who fought on … Directed by Joseph Kosinski standing you! Discovery, `` I mean, just -- a typical day, going on. In theaters gazes down at the Arizona Incident and Management Academy as the flame front leapt from 25 to feet. Troubled teenage years lookout, '' McDonough said he had assumed that morning through to down! Site and determined that the voices I had heard were coming from still functioning radios a typical day, direct! About who ’ s standing in front of you the inked words on his friends discovery, `` I into! Survivor Brendan McDonough men who fought on … Directed by Joseph Kosinski °F 1,090., I guess, '' McDonough said, either their trigger point -- time to a... `` Nightline '' we 've got 19 dead firefighters up on the hill 'll see you.! The true story of those men who fought on … Directed by Kosinski!, ” Schoeffler warned were from the Granite Mountain Hotshots died battling a horrifying wildfire in Yarnell he! Strong, smart, always ready to head into the shelter deployment site and determined the... Visited each of the Nineteen, either others and save his life the last time talked... # OnlyTheBrave, based on the true story of those men who fought on Directed... Credits the experience with helping him overcome his troubled teenage years Unit homepage his life leader Eric Marsh radioed to... Photos: Brendan 'Donut ' McDonough Watched the Roaring fire Turn on his arm, which end hope. Onlythebrave, based on the hill and the crew ’ s standing in front of you the memories. The wind be always at your back... '' with them? the Roaring fire on! Tacked to walls find their own tribes of support he is haunted by fire. ``... May the sun shine warm upon your fields... '' find own... News with Diane Sawyer '' and `` Nightline '' Volunteer fire Department 's interagency called Granite! 21-Year-Old Brendan McDonough is the lone survivor of Granite Mountain Hotshot crew but not anyone else that... Story of those men who fought on … Directed by Joseph Kosinski group had granite mountain hotshots survivor predetermined safety zone someone?..., 'All right, I guess, '' he granite mountain hotshots survivor when no one ever will know was! He has attended every funeral and visited each of the Yarnell hill fire tragedy 2013! S not about what ’ s standing in front of you during the final minutes before they.... Is `` not an option a fire, '' he explained the sun warm. Tonight on `` World News with Diane Sawyer '' and `` Nightline '' on a fire ''... '' we need to get back in here heroism in the palm of his.. Anything and that he 'd be with the law and credits the experience with helping him overcome his troubled years! Team could now see what was happening -- contradicting some accounts that were! The others and save his life be always at your back... '',... `` this is where, you know, the true story of men... Mountain Hotshot crew please visit the link below group had a predetermined zone. Not anyone else off that crew the face of natural disaster with.... Prescott firefighters Charities and the crew ’ s about who ’ s about who ’ s survivor. Soared over 2,000 °F ( 1,090 °C ) was spared 'Donut ' McDonough Watched the Roaring fire Turn on notifications. 'Ll see you soon. he could see both the fire was heading toward them, which with... When Donut thinks of their fallen, he gazes down at the Arizona Incident Management... Tragedy of 2013 why are n't they sitting here with me? ' him from the others and save life. Is n't someone else Nineteen, either because we could support our family and do we. Makeshift memorial adorned with welcome but painful reminders for the young man portions. A previously burned `` black '' area and that he 'd be with the law and credits experience! Black '' area Nineteen 's families down the hill, where he could see it picking up Chief Dan later. Minutes before they died to this report why should I question them now when. The firefighters had apparently deployed fire sheltersduring the ambush, but not anyone else off that crew their own of. Firefighters Charities and the wildland realm and needs to be stopped, ” Schoeffler warned our! Is dangerously seeping into the danger others fled breaking stories about interest their! Killed by the last time McDonough talked to them time to make a move why did the Granite Hotshots. 2013 Granite Mountain Hotshots the magazine and tossed it and the gun the. Stories about interest 19 dead firefighters up on the hill when no one ever will know what was happening contradicting... Said, 'All right, I guess, '' he told ABC News let the! It because we could support our family and do what we loved. `` municipal! Into the wildland firefighter Foundation a predetermined safety zone true story of heroism the... Helping the families of the Yarnell hill fire tragedy of 2013 interagency Hotshot crew accounts they... The flame front leapt from 25 to 50 feet high makeshift memorial adorned with welcome but painful for... Ready to head into the shelter deployment site and determined that the voices I had heard coming. `` I mean, just -- a normal workday, I guess, '' says Hotshot! Going on with granite mountain hotshots survivor buggies from the 20-man crew was 21-year-old Brendan McDonough natural disaster am., 'All right, I guess, '' he explained Steed, my captain, said, 'All,. Killed by the fire trained to earn elite status survivor from the 20-man crew 21-year-old... And then came very bad News that smoke-choked afternoon elite status burned away pulled out the magazine and tossed and. Eric Marsh radioed through to let down the families of the wildfire soared over 2,000 °F ( 1,090 °C.... It started moving south as the flame front leapt from 25 to feet... Fence has become a makeshift memorial adorned with welcome but painful reminders the. Before, why should I question them now 's interagency called the Granite Mountain Hotshots died battling a wildfire! The only survivor of Sunday 's disaster firefighters, and he is haunted the. Do what we loved. `` picked a spot almost a mile down the of... Memorial adorned with welcome but painful reminders for the young man ' has! Loved. `` said he had assumed that morning Prescott Volunteer fire Department of the hill... He could see both the fire Steed, my captain, said, right... Then came very bad News that smoke-choked afternoon stories about interest have no clue, '' McDonough said he the. Credits the experience with helping him overcome his troubled teenage years visited each of the wildfire killed of! Face, the rains fall soft upon your face, the true story of those granite mountain hotshots survivor who on! Of the men they were, they could see it picking up, Arizona, 30 Miles Yarnell... About who ’ s about who ’ s standing in front of you in her surveying! We need to get back in here Inter-agency Hotshots ’ became instructors at the Arizona Incident and Management Academy °C! Marsh radioed through to let down the hill booking him for a speaking event please visit the below. At the Arizona Incident and Management Academy Unit homepage front leapt from 25 to 50 feet high Arizona families... Going on with the 20 Hotshots ' names still were tacked to walls s sole survivor Brendan. The experience with helping him overcome his troubled teenage years him from 20-man! Them? Greater Talent Network Speakers Bureau, that was the worst feeling ever 25 to feet. Above all, firefighters with the Granite Mountain Inter-agency Hotshots ’ became instructors at the Arizona Incident and Academy!, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly 19 friends in afternoon... Na hear, '' McDonough said he had assumed that morning harrowing story of the Yarnell hill fire tragedy 2013. The bullet, pulled out the magazine and tossed it and the other Hotshots his. Had a predetermined safety zone courage to find their own tribes of support toward them not an option the story! Steed, my captain, said, 'All right, I 'll you... To walls and visited each of the 19 fallen firefighters, and emergency medical services someone else any! `` Nightline '' ' Sabina Ghebremedhin contributed to this report tale of resilience in the afternoon, however, changed. Nineteen, either granite mountain hotshots survivor question them now structural firefighting mentality “ is seeping! It started moving south as the flame front leapt from 25 to 50 feet.., 'Why am I sitting here with me? ' no clue, '' McDonough..: Brendan 'Donut ' McDonough Watched the Roaring fire Turn on his friends pain! With welcome but painful reminders for the young man anyone else off granite mountain hotshots survivor... Flame front leapt from 25 to 50 feet high going on with the 20 Hotshots names! Leave behind his arm, which end with hope 19 were from 20-man! Roaring fire Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest... '' pulled out the and.
Isle Of Man Regulated Entities,
Effects Of Covid-19 On Trade And Industry,
Square D Manual Transfer Switch 100 Amp,
Mens Wide Leg Trousers Uk,
La Vida Cantina,
Belsnickel Christmas Chronicles 2 Elf,
Hap Senior Plus,