Mann Gulch Fire Tribute

On August 5, 1949, 13 firefighters were killed by the disastrous Mann Gulch Fire near Helena Montana. They deserve so much more than this simple tribute for their sacrifice.
Song: Cold Missouri Waters
Artist: Jane Leche and the Fiddlin Foresters
Writer: James Keelaghan
Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of any media used in this video.

[@ewardwinningoutdoors]

70 years ago today, and we're still applying lessons learned at Mann Gulch and so many other tragedy fires through the years. We can't bring back the fallen, but we owe it to them and to those who come after them, to learn the lessons for which they paid to dearly.

[@cookbill2000]

I think this is one of James Keelaghan's greatest songs. Jane Leche does an awsome job of covering in this version. One day I would like to go to Mann Gulch near Helena and see the area for myself. I REALLY love this song!!!

[@steuart9]

The first full time summer job I had while in college was as a fire control technician with the USDA-Forest Service. This song strikes close to the heart even though I have not fought fires for over 30 years. It is more than a song. It is a lesson put to music. I would also recognize that all the casualties of that fire did not occur on August 5, 1949, the Forest Service's leading fire expert, Harry Gisborne died in Mann Gulch of a heart attack in November 1949 while investigating the fire.

[@porock1010]

i went on a hike up there with some of my local fire fighters that i work with. we went to every cross leaving flowers and saying a prayer for them, its something that everyone should think about doing if it is possible for any of u.... its amazing

[@bluecrab2u]

Good job. Moving almost to tears. The Fiddlin' Foresters version of this song is my favorite. Number of years back, I heard Richard Shindell sing Cold Missouri Waters at a concert in a coffeehouse. He gave the audience some backgound on it and said he'd just read Norman MacLean's "Young Men and Fire," which we might want to take a look at. Terrific book, which goes into a lot of detail. I hope to visit the Mann Gulch site while I still can. Thanks again for the vid.

[@TecDiver05]

13 smokejumpers. 19 hotshots. When I heard about the granite mountain crew, this song began to play in my mind..over and over. Just kids mainly..thank you guys and I pray for the young families left without their dads, brothers, husbands and friends.

[@markdunigan805]

Storm King Mountain,South Canyon Fire,Colorado.14 souls.

[@SPennell]

outstanding video ! Jane's voice renders a haunting version of this Keelaghan classic. We had the pleasure of seeing James Keelaghan perform in Columbus, OH. a few months ago. He's not to be missed...a terrific songwriter !

[@jcairncross]

Thank you Hope, any tribute to those who put themselves in harms way to confront fire to protect the lives and property of others should never be forgotten. They are the soldiers of the forests and wildlands. Each and everyone of the people who have commented need to read "Young men and Fire". At the same time we should all pay homage to all the firefighters everywhere who go into battle against the Beast. The Smoke Jumpers and Hot Shot crews of the USFS have my utmost respect. Thank you all.

[@cutsbothways]

The first time I heard this haunting song I was so taken, and compelled to learn all about it. McLeans "Young Men and Fire" gives an excellent account of the story. I like this rendition of the song. Also look up the song done by Cry, Cry, Cry. They also do it such justice that I bought their CD. The song is now in my own repetoire and I love to tell the story of the Mann Gulch Fire to people who have never heard the song, "Cold Missouri Waters" before. Sometimes it is hard to sing.

[@oldbearswitch]

wow, that is freaking awesome, thank YOU sooo much hoarsewhisperer. I just finished rereading young men and fire, and jsut go tback from a week of trail-building in the centennials far to the south of mann gulch on the ID border. My all the fallen wildland firefighters RIP! Storm king,Cedar fire, all of them RIP

[@jarrythskeen8336]

Such a tragic but yet beautiful song. Great rendition.

[@flyboy61b]

There's a great boat trip up to the Gates of the Mountains and the narrator we had did a wonderful job telling the tale of the fire. The boat pulls in to Merriweather Gulch where the Ranger that joined Dodge and his crew was stationed. They sell "Young Men and Fire" in the gift shop at the boat dock. You can also find it on Amazon.

[@mccgsm]

My wife never understands why these things tear me up; I fought fire for a dozen years with BLM and USFS; buried one of our own on the Gila in 1994 and knew one of the Storm King guys. And once you've been there and walked a mile on the line, there is a brotherhood that transcends time and space and which cannot be broken. Even from 60 years, I know these guys, and mourn their loss. Bless you for remembering them through this video....

[@DrMarkHShapiro]

I understand only too well. USFS Big Dalton Canyon engine ANF more than 60 years ago.

[@lgcrooks]

James Keelaghan is a singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

[@Johnel83]

Published in 1992, the book "Young Men & Fire" gives a moving and accurate account of the tragedy at Mann Gulch. It was written by Norman Maclean and features extensive interviews with the three survivors. The book was published after Maclean's death. It is one of the best books that I have ever read. Several of the pictures in this video come from the book.

[@wattstopper101]

That was an awsome tribute to those young men. If anyone wants to know more about the Mann Gulch fire Norman Macleans's book "Young Men and Fire" is an amazing read. Thank you for the tribute - YOU ROCK!!!

[@lgcrooks]

I was a 21-yr old student in charge of 60 men in a park in northern Saskatchewan in August '68. The "Super" was away, left me in charge. It was a hot, dry, windy day when a fire erupted, heading our way. So young, I was scared (although, I fought fires as a "grunt" before). I called in the men and got the equipment ready to go. We stopped it at a right-of-way yards short of the park. I thank the "old guys", mostly Native, on the crew who knew fires, for their help. Never a beer tasted so good!

[@bluecrab2u]

For all the reading I did, for all the photos and maps I looked at, and for the innumerable times I listened to "Cold Missouri Waters," nothing came close to preparing me for the reality of Mann Gulch. It took me a dozen years to get it together to go there. Wednesday, July 6th, 2011was the day, a hot one. Being there was such a powerful and moving experience. If the story or song calls to you, then go.

[@flyboy61b]

Very nice. A lot of pictures I've never seen. Thanks for putting this together.

[@oldbearswitch]

Hi Fire Red, as the lyrics point out and the book verifies, they were sidehilling down to get under it. The prevailing winds along the canyon made eddies whose vortexes sucked the embers from active fire opposite side of the ridge by the camp ground over the ridge AND ACROSS the next gulch. From there upslope flow and convection made the arm that got them grow like a Sta Ana fire here in SoCal. Now we know that dynamic, and still the lesson was forgotten on Storm King. Stay safe Amigo.

[@lgcrooks]

Yes, I do know what the song is about. I have had to run for my life in a forest fire situation, too. That's why I connect with this song. Fortunately I, and my crew, are not subjects of a folk song. I was only remarking on the great job Jane Leche of the Fiddlin' Foresters has done on this tune. Great feeling and respect for the people that didn't make it. And, perhaps, a greater pain and sympathy for the guys that did make it, losing their compadres, feeliong guilty.

[@bigboi1124]

Just finished reading "Young Men and Fire" by Norman Maclean. An excellent account of the Mann Gulch tragedy written to perfection. Thanks Hope for helping tell their story.

[@philipallan1570]

Yes, Jane has a nice voice. When I listen to the original sung by the writer James Keelaghan there is such a depth of emotion that sends shivers down my spine. While there are other nice interpretations there is something special to hear the words interpreted by the man who penned them. Each of these tributes cause people to remember, reflect on the lives of the individuals who gave their lives or parts thereof fighting fires to protect the lives and properties of others.

[@lincolnmaceachern2410]

Agreed; sounds too much like Joan Baez

[@lgcrooks]

Of course, I meant the comment about Baez as a compliment. No slight intended. I love this version. The song was written by a Canadian, James Keelaghan, now living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is one of the best singer-songwriters seen in Canada since Stan Rogers, and perhaps, Gordon Lightfoot. And by the way - in my younger years, I was a forest fire fighter, with a couple of years as a crew chief. I know. I know. You don't have to tell me. Fortunately, I never had any deaths on my watch.

[@geeselouise]

Thank you for the wonderful tribute and thank you to whom ever recomended it for to. For more about the fire read "Young Men and Fire." , it is a must read for any wildland firefighter.

[@ctakim]

Beautiful, and moving. Thank you.

[@lgcrooks]

I was a fire crew chief in Saskatchewan the 60's. wanted to be a "jumper" but my Dad wouldn't let me. I was a young university student, and relied largely on the experience and knowledge of the locals - mostly natives. They got me through two years of some tough times, but we never had the challenges of these guys! So sad.

[@timrob62]

The Cry Cry Cry version was the first I had heard and the reason I'm even looking this up on KZbin. If you haven't heard that version, seek it out.

[@Sniperbass84]

young men & fire, favorite book

[@dreiSchlangen]

And of course, I mean no disrespect to any other artists-especially the composers who at their best give lyric and melody to all our emotions But I sense Jane's background gives her a special relationship with this song that comes out in the performance. I've long taught my children (now grown) that music is the language of pure emotion and that's where this performance stands above the rest (IMNSHO ;-). (btw-I'm a big fan of both Keelaghan and Lightfoot myself)

[@hoarsewhisperer]

The singer is Jane Leche of the Fiddlin' Foresters.

[@lgcrooks]

@Xeno426 I agree. It was (is) James' song. And he does it in a feeling way. Canadian guy, but with a sincere description of the terrible fate the Montana fire fighters met.

[@wildfiree21]

excellent video

[@Storzcouplings]

nicely done

[@ChuckieInMT]

This is not only a tribute to that group of guys that perished on that August day, it's also for anyone who has ever dug a line. Also to those that teach us to be safe, before we get our Red Card. Way nice post and like others have said, Thank You!

[@FiremanFrach]

Earl Cooley, the original "Smoke Jumper" picked their landing zone then built their cross' up there and hike there to maintain them until well into his 80s. He just passed away at 98. RIP to all.

[@firefighter97688]

DODGE DID WHAT HAD TO DO, WITH THOSE CONDITIONS, HOW DID HE EVER THINK OF THE BACK FIRE? HIS TACTICS THAT DAY GAVE WAY TO A NEW WAY, THINK OF THE FIREFIGHTERS WHO HAVE DONE BURNOUTS AND LIVED!!

[@lgcrooks]

Fair enough. Thanks for your comments. Points taken!

[@lgcrooks]

Absolutely! A must-see act. Especially with Oscar Lopez as the Compadres. As a good Winnipeg boy, he penned the original of this song. (Well OK. He might have lived in Calgary at the time).

[@brendanlukkari211]

To the Prescott 19 who we lost. May you rest in Peace.

[@mmiller626]

great tribute

[@lgcrooks]

I have listened to this four times since my last post. Who is the singer?! She's great. Sounds a bit like Joan Biez.

[@HisLittleDancer17]

This song makes me sad.. To know that is what can happen when a fire gets out of control.. I would know what it feels like to be in a fire.. I am a firefighter.. My brother is going into smoke jumping so I am scred to know that this could happen to him!

[@cookbill2000]

TEN DAYS AGO was the 60th Anniversary of the Mann Gulch Fire!

[@pamhawkins5803]

What a terriffic voice...... Want to here more Jane. Got the FF CD it is great.

[@blinko656]

RIP brothers...

[@hoarsewhisperer]

@Xeno426 I can't speak for anyone else, but I used this version because I liked it... simple as that.

[@Xeno426]

Why is it that none of these Mann Gulch tributes use the actual James Keelaghan performance of his own song?

[@IGNITIONSPECIALIST]

RIP

[@BlazeCyndaquil]

Uh, well, Mann Gulch is on fire.

[@dreiSchlangen]

I'm sure Janie would roll her eyes at such a comparison! (Besides, Joan's too self-absorbed to have Janie's sense of humor.) What Janie also has is a deeper identification with what those men did than can mere folk singers. Many renditions are great, but I've heard none with Janie's depth of pathos, sense of closeness to what those men went through, and why it matters. love ya Jane! (& no, my parents didn't have any children that lived ;-)

[@mjuhanil]

Go and listen to James keelaghans original.

[@박채윤-v4v]

안타깝네 ㅜ..

[@lgcrooks]

Don't think so.

[@lgcrooks]

Ooops! That should be Baez! Not Biez! Sorry.