MISSOULA — 1949 was a major fire year for the Helena National Forest.
The Mann Gulch Fire, which claimed 13 lives including 12 smokejumpers and one former smokejumper, was first reported 75 years ago on August 5.
The impact of the fire lives on in the training and mindset of current smokejumpers in Missoula.
“When your parachute safely opens, you know you’re gonna live,” shared Missoula smokejumper Tyler Ware. “And it’s just quiet, there’s a light breeze and you’re looking out over the most beautiful country.”
Smokejumpers are a unique necessity here in the West.
“I actually often say that I was raised for this job or fire in general,” said Ware, recalling his childhood experiences in team sports and scouting.
Emily Brown/MTN News
Specially trained, elite firefighters drop themselves out of airplanes to battle blazes in remote locations.
“A person will be sitting in the door with their legs hanging out and kind of underneath the door. And then there’s a spotter, a person on board that doesn’t jump, looking out the door, kind of figuring out just exactly where they’re going to be released out over the jump spot,” detailed Scott Jones who has been jumping since 1994. “The spotter goes through some throwing streamers and figures out wind drift and where they want to release the jumper. And they’ll yell get ready.”
Emily Brown/MTN News
Getting crews to a fire in the air brings them key information before boots hit the ground.
“The advantage of showing up over fire by air is you can see where the fire sits. You can see the activity on it,” explained Jones.
Since they are often isolated from other resources, smokejumpers have to rely on only the gear with them and their wits.
“It’s just a fire truck with wings, [with] all the cargo and necessary supplies for them to do work for about three days unsupported out in the woods,” Jones told MTN.
Emily Brown/MTN News
During the Mann Gulch Fire in August 1949, foreman Wag Dodge started a back burn fire to protect himself and his crew. He was the only one who stayed in the black, while others ran and perished, but Dodge survived.
This innovative approach changed how crews now fight wildfires, with back burning being a common practice.
“We do a lot of back burning on fires, essentially robbing the fire of what it needs to burn,” shared Jones. “So, part of our training now includes creating safety zones in flashy fuel by setting it on fire to protect from incoming flames.”
Through remembering sacrifices and taking risks, teams are bonded in camaraderie and mission.
“The fire in front of you and the guys beside you, it’s camaraderie, trust, and pushing forward to get the job done,” stated Ware.
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