On June 30, 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire near Yarnell, Arizona, claimed the lives of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a regional wildfire crew based in Prescott, Arizona. These 19 firefighters were highly trained professionals dedicated to protecting communities and conducting safe, effective wildland fire operations. This profile provides a clear, factual summary of who they were, their roles within the crew, and the context of the incident, focusing on verifiable details from investigations and official reports.
What happened on Yarnell Hill
The Yarnell Hill Fire, ignited by lightning on June 28, 2013, grew rapidly under hot, dry, and windy conditions. On June 30, the Granite Mountain Hotshots were deployed to the fire near the community of Yarnell. After conditions shifted suddenly, the fire overran a planned safety zone, leading to the tragic loss of the 19 crew members while they were attempting to deploy shelter. The deaths represented the greatest single-day loss of firefighters in the United States since the September 11 attacks and prompted extensive review of wildland fire operations and safety protocols.
The 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots
The 19 firefighters were part of a geographically based hotshot crew in Prescott, managed by the Prescott Fire Department with support from the city and federal partners. In hotshot crews, members typically fill roles such as fire captain, engineer, firefighter, and lookout, each requiring high physical fitness, wildland firefighting training, and the ability to work in remote, rapidly changing conditions.
| Name | Role on the crew | Age at time of death | Status within the crew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesse Steed | Engineer/crew boss | 36 | Prescott resident, former military |
| Justin Romesburg | Firefighter | 22 | Youngest member on the final mission |
| Clayton Whitted | Firefighter | 24 | Recent training academy graduate |
| Grant McKee | Firefighter | 19 | Youthful, dedicated crew member | Kevin Woyjeck | Firefighter | 19 | Recent training academy graduate |
| Travis Tarver | Firefighter | 22 | Crew medic training |
| John Percin Jr. | Firefighter | 21 | Crew medic support |
| Andrew Ashcraft | Firefighter | 25 | Experienced line firefighter |
| Dustin DeFord | Lookout/crew member | 21 | Lookout role on the fireline |
| Marc MacDonnell | Firefighter | 26 | Seasoned crew member |
| James O’Neill | Firefighter | 28 | Experienced hotshot crew member |
| Robert Caldwell | Engineer | 23 | Mechanical skills, vehicle operations |
| Sean Misner | Firefighter | 21 | Crew medic training |
| Micheal Roberts | Firefighter | 23 | Crew medic training |
| Derek Lovato | Firefighter | 20 | Young crew member |
| Clayton Marsh | Lookout/crew member | 24 | Lookout role on assignment |
| Benjamin Krueger | Engineer | 25 | Equipment and vehicle operations |
| Nicholas Evjen | Firefighter | 21 | Crew member on the assignment |
| Timothy Sullivan | Engineer/crew member | 20 | Recent training and first assignment |
Context: roles and structure of a hotshot crew
Hotshot crews are specialized wildland firefighting teams trained to work in remote areas under difficult conditions. They typically include members with roles such as captain (incident leader), engineers (driving engines and managing water), firefighters (line suppression), lookouts (monitoring fire behavior and communications), and medics (providing emergency medical care). The Granite Mountain Hotshots were a Type 1 hotshot crew, meaning they were nationally recognized for high readiness and capability. Members undergo rigorous physical training, incident command training, and shelter deployment practice, yet unpredictable fire behavior can challenge even the best preparations.
Investigation and findings
Multiple investigations by federal and state agencies, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health, reviewed the incident. Findings pointed to a combination of rapidly changing fire behavior, unpredictable wind shifts, and challenges in reaching a safe refuge as contributing factors. The investigations emphasized the need for redundant escape routes, real-time fire behavior monitoring, and consistent application of situational awareness practices. Reports from these reviews are publicly available and inform ongoing wildland firefighter training and safety reforms.
Community and national impact
The loss deeply affected the Prescott area and the broader firefighting community. Memorials, scholarships, and training initiatives were established in the firefighters’ names to support families and advance firefighter safety. Their experience is frequently studied to improve crew operations, deployment models, and communication between incident command and crews on the fireline. The 19 remain a symbol of the risks wildland firefighters accept to protect lives, property, and natural resources.
Key facts at a glance
- Date: June 30, 2013
- Location: Yarnell, Arizona, United States
- Crew: Granite Mountain Hotshots, Prescott, Arizona
- Crew size lost: 19 of the crew on assignment
- Incident: Overrun of a safety zone during sudden fire growth
- Aftermath: Numerous investigations, safety recommendations, lasting memorials and scholarship programs
As an evergreen explainer, this profile reflects the current understanding of who the 19 firefighters were, their roles, and the context of the tragedy. Details are drawn from official reports and publicly released investigations, and the information is intended to support long-term clarity and remembrance rather than time-sensitive news.