Today is the 60th anniversary of Mann Gulch: August 5, 1949.

[DemoTex]

Died as a result of the fire:

Robert J. Bennet age 22, Paris, TN

Eldon E. Diettert died on 19th birthday, Moscow, ID

James O. Harrison age 20, Missoula, MT

William J. Hellman age 24, Kalispell, MT

Phillip R. McVey age 22, Babb, MT

David R. Navon age 28, Modesto, CA

Leonard L. Piper age 23, Blairsville, PA

Stanley J. Reba, Brooklyn, NY

Marvin L. Sherman age 21, Missoula, MT

Joseph B. Sylvia age 24, Plymouth, MA

Henry J. Thol age 19, Kalispell, MT

Newton R. Thompson age 23, Alhambra, CA

Silas R. Thompson age 21, Charlotte, NC

Survived the Mann Gulch Fire:

Walter Rumsey age 21 at time of fire, born in Larned, KA, died in plane crash 1980 at age of 52

Robert Sallee age of 17 at time of fire, born Willow Creek, MT, lives in Spokane, WA

Wagner Dodge age 33 at time of fire, died 5 years later of Hodgkin's disease


Mann Gulch after the tragic fire.

Perhaps I should add that I am on late duty watching over a group of wild-land fire-fighters on a fire to my northwest. Some of them are now good friends, including the fire commander. They know who has the eagle-eye on their situation. I know who will rescue my sorry ass if this butte ever burns. It is now a family thing.

[John Q. Citizen]

1. "Young Men and Fire" was the name of the book written by Norman McClain about the tragedy.

The deadly event is still very much on people's minds here in the Northern Rockies.

[DemoTex]

2. YM&F is in my fire lookout tower library.

It is on loan again, to a fire-fighter. Great book.

[Iterate]

7. Author Norman Maclean also wrote "A River Runs Through It"

He was one of the most beloved professors at the University of Chicago, a lover of Shakespeare, and father of author John Norman Maclean, who has also written about wildfire.

I still think of "Young Men and Fire" as the best work of non-fiction I've ever read.

[abq e streeter]

3. Never heard about this, but remember the tragedy on Storm King Mountain in '94

I had a friend on the fire crews in NM and Colorado that summer and held my breath until I finally saw the list of dead didn't include her... But of course, other people's friends and family suffered a loss they'll probably grieve over forever. Damned brave men and women who do this work...

[DemoTex]

4. I am in awe of the bravery I see every day.

I am the Mother Hen. I put these young fire-fighters on their fires, then I watch them like that mama hen. I'm two hours off the pay clock now, but still up to watch Travis on his fire to my northwest. Travis is the one who led Dr. DemoTex in on her first visit when I couldn't meet up with her because of lightning and fires. Family. Fire family.

[Suich]

5. I hope your weather has eased up a bit.

I know British Columbia could certainly use a break.

Take care, you two!

[lutherj]

6. There is a song about this, Cold Missouri Water. You can find

it on a CD called Cry, Cry, Cry by Dar Williams and friends.

Cold Missouri Waters

(Words & music James Keelaghan)

My name is Dodge, but then you know that
It's written on the chart there at the foot end of the bed
They think I'm blind, I can't read it
I've read it every word, and every word it says is death
So, Confession - is that the reason that you came
Get it off my chest before I check out of the game
Since you mention it, well there's thirteen things I'll name
Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters

August 'Forty-Nine, north Montana
The hottest day on record, the forest tinder dry
Lightning strikes in the mountains
I was crew chief at the jump base, I prepared the boys to fly
Pick the drop zone, C-47 comes in low
Feel the tap upon your leg that tells you go
See the circle of the fire down below
Fifteen of us dropped above the cold Missouri waters

Gauged the fire, I'd seen bigger
So I ordered them to sidehill and we'd fight it from below
We'd have our backs to the river
We'd have it licked by morning even if we took it slow
But the fire crowned, jumped the valley just ahead
There was no way down, headed for the ridge instead
Too big to fight it, we'd have to fight that slope instead
Flames one step behind above the cold Missouri waters

Sky had turned red, smoke was boiling
Two hundred yards to safety, death was fifty yards behind
I don't know why I just thought it
I struck a match to waist high grass running out of time
Tried to tell them, Step into this fire I set
We can't make it, this is the only chance you'll get
But they cursed me, ran for the rocks above instead
I lay face down and prayed above the cold Missouri waters

And when I rose, like the phoenix
In that world reduced to ashes there were none but two survived
I stayed that night and one day after
Carried bodies to the river, wonder how I stayed alive
Thirteen stations of the cross to mark to their fall
I've had my say, I'll confess to nothing more
I'll join them now, because they left me long before
Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri waters
Thirteen crosses high above the cold Missouri shore

[leftyclimber]

8. Here's the Cry Cry Cry version. Richard Shindell is singing,

Dar Williams and Lucy Kaplansky are singing backing vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgQNeGPJdcQ

I posted Shindell's solo version of this sign for DT before he headed out. If you haven't heard this song, it s a great way to get familiar with the story. If, like me and DT, you work on National Forests, or if you live near a wild place, bring Kleenex. Maybe even if you don't.

For the Mann Gulch firefighters, the Prineville Hotshots, and all the others who have lost their lives on the fire line.

:patriot:

[Stephanie]

9. That's where I'm from.

We used to take the ferry tour through the Gates of the Mountains all the time and the history of Mann Gulch was part of the story. My grandfather was an elected official at that time, it was a horrible tragedy. Here's the definitive book on it:

http://www.amazon.com/Young-Men-Fire-Norman-Maclean/dp/0226500624