The U.S. Forest Service, Montana Discovery Foundation, National Smokejumpers Association and other partners will remember the 75th anniversary of the Mann Gulch fire with several events this summer.
The fire took place on Aug. 5, 1949, killing 12 smokejumpers and a U.S. Forest Service employee who investigated the fire.
“The men who lost their lives in the Mann Gulch fire 75 years ago live on today in many ways – from much-improved safety for firefighters to a deeper understanding of wildfire and how our responses impact wildfire,” Forest Supervisor Emily Platt said in a news release.
The Mann Gulch fire gave way to investments in fire research and was the main driver for funding the construction of the Northern Forest Fire Laboratory, now known as the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, that opened in Missoula in 1960. The laboratory increased understanding of the importance of reducing hazardous fuels and applying prescribed fire to create more options for managers when wildfires occur and to reduce wildfire severity, forest officials said.
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The memorial and events planned Aug. 3-6 will honor the men who died and reflect on the ever-evolving relationship with fire.
On Aug. 3 "Higgins Ridge," a documentary about the 1961 fire, will be shown at The Myrna Loy from 5-8 p.m.
There will be a Walking Mall event from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 4 in partnership with Ten Mile Creek Brewery with a commemorative beer unveiling, smokejumpers from Missoula, a wreath-making event and more.
On the west lawn of the state Capitol a speaking event will be held on Aug. 5 from 4-7 p. m. with keynote speaker John N. Maclean, the son of Norman Maclean, who wrote the 1992 book "Young Men and Fire," about the Mann Gulch blaze.
On Aug. 6, from 8 a. m. to 2 p. m., the planning committee will arrange boats for family members and committee members to the Meriwether Day Use Area and organize a hike to the Mann Gulch fire monuments at 9 a.m.
There have been other local efforts as well.
The Helena City Commission recently approved having a mural painted for the Lyndale Avenue tunnel titled “Wildfire” by Helena artist Elise Perpignano, which depicts the Mann Gulch fire. The mural will include a scene of the fiery inferno and parachuting smokejumpers.
And, in February, a group of C.R. Anderson Middle School students were able to get National Recreation Trail Registry designation for the Mann Gulch Trail.
For more information visit the Montana Discovery Foundation website at https://shorturl.at/mxNPV.