The film’s title, “Only The Brave,” is a reference to the motto of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, which reads: “Only the brave.” It’s a phrase that reflects the team’s courage, dedication, and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
As the Yarnell Hill Fire raged on, the Granite Mountain Hotshots were deployed to the scene to help contain the blaze. The situation was dire, with flames towering over 2,000 feet into the air and winds gusting up to 50 miles per hour. The firefighters knew they had to act fast to prevent the fire from spreading and engulfing the town.
Tragically, 19 of the Granite Mountain Hotshots did not survive that day. The team was overrun by the flames, and despite their bravery and training, they were unable to escape. The loss was devastating, not just for the families of the fallen firefighters, but for the entire nation.