Page 22 - November (Remembrance)2020

First Nation’s crew. The Chief was setting up camp Suggested further reading:
alongside a lake and dispatched me to insert a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mann_Gulch_fire
suppression crew on the “line.” Knowing a little bit less
than nothing about fire behaviour; I soldiered onward Young Men and Fire is a non-fiction book written
and upwards to the raging head of the fire and placed by Norman Maclean. It is an account of Norman
the crew immediately in front of its advance. A half Maclean's research of the Mann Gulch fire of
hour later, back in camp, a panicked radio call came in 1949 and the 13 men who died there. The fire
from the crew that they had been overrun by the fire occurred in Mann Gulch in the Gates of the
and abandoned their equipment and needed rescuing. Mountains Wilderness on August 5. The book
An expensive lesson learned. won the National Book Critics Circle Award
(1992).
Almost 50 years later, having taught fire suppression

and fought fires in many countries around the world, I
have a strong respect for this versatile and challenging
foe. While there are many kudos and awards that
follow all of that suppression activity, I know where the
true accolades belong – with the fire fighters...

These veterans who fight nature’s oppressive forces
stand together fighting a menace that kills innocent
citizens, their animals and destroys their homes and
livelihood. These combatants are seldom recognized or
thanked by the public. So, at this time when we
acknowledge those who died in foreign countries let us
also be thankful for those who stood and faced a fiery
inferno sacrificing their lives to save us.