Fallen Aerial Firefighter from Brazil Identified in Montana Crash

The aerial firefighter who gave her life fighting a quickly burning fire north of Helena, Montana has now been identified.

Juliana Turchetti has been described as a "great pilot," and one of Brazil's first female ag pilots. She lost her life while fighting the Horse Gulch Fire, which is now estimated at nearly 8,000 acres.

The crash occurred at approximately 12:10 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, on Hauser Reservoir near Spokane Bay.

Bill Lavender with Ag Air Update says, "Juliana started her aviation career flying in the corporate world in Brazil. Longing for a more fulfilling career, she started ag flying in a Brazilian Ipanema. From there, she progressed to ferrying Thrush and Air Tractor planes from the US to Brazil. She often wrote about her experiences on those flights. She flew ag in the US, and finally, she landed a seat in a firefighting AT-802F and from there to the Fire Boss."

Navy SEAL veteran, Bridger Aerospace founder, and US Senate candidate Tim Sheehy described Turchetti as a great pilot and says he just ran into her 5 weeks ago in the Denver airport and got to sit down with her for a cup of coffee.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share that Juliana Turchetti, a wildland firefighting pilot, died in a plane crash while supporting fire suppression efforts on the Horse Gulch Fire,” said Helena Lewis and Clark Forest Supervisor Emily Platt. “Our deepest condolences go out to Juliana’s family, friends, colleagues, and the firefighting and aviation communities. I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow.”

KTVH-TV reports that "Juliana leaves behind a 17-year-old son and numerous family members in Brazil."

​According to a press release from the US Forest Service, "Turchetti was flying a Fire Boss Air Tractor 802 (AT-802) under contract by the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) on loan to the fire in support of the Forest Service suppression efforts."​

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Juliana. The IDL firefighting and aviation community has been hit hard by this tragedy,” said IDL Director Dustin Miller.  “Wildland firefighters, by air and by ground step up to do this dangerous work to protect our communities and lands. Juliana has given the ultimate sacrifice. Our hearts are heavy and she will not be forgotten.”

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