Mann Gulch: Locating Dodge's Escape Fire

We made the same measurements that Maclean and Robinson made in 1979.

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Tags:

• Mann
• Gulch
• mann
• gulch
• wag
• dodge
• wagner
• norman
• maclean
• escape
• fire
• spot
• helena
• montana
• shonkin

[wernox]

but what is this supposed to prove?

[rodbensonhelena]

The purpose of the video is to let those who are interested in Mann Gulch see what the area around the spot fire looks like. Is every YouTube video supposed to prove something?

[RIVERINE]

Read US forestry department statistics. Most smoke-jumpers that lose their lives fighting wild fires are the ones that are lost in fast moving brush fires. Trying to outrun flames 15 to 20 feet plus going at 20 miles per hour is just impossible.The Mann gulch fire fighters were caught by circumstances beyond their control.

[lizolizowa]

Thank you for this video, I am reading Young Men and Fire for a class, and this really helped me to better visualize the scenario.

[geniegogo]

You can see how steep the slope is. I can understand an experienced firefighter could have the intuition that if you can't outrun a fire uphill that you have a chance if you face it instead. He burned a firebreak?

[11B2P]

Thanks for putting this video up. I have been interested in the Mann Gulch fire for many years since reading "Young Men and Fire".  I would love to hike the area but will likely never get the chance. That's what makes this video so interesting; like I am there.

[cervelo58]

For better or for worse, the Mann Gulch Fire and Wagner Dodge are entering cult status among decision makers.

Wagner Dodge made the correct decision but, tragically, his team either didn't, or couldn't, follow his lead. It's a great story and a great way to teach others.

[cervelo58]

I first read about the Mann Gulch Fire in Gary Klein's 2005 book The Power of Intuition.

Wagner Dodge is presented a team leader who improvised a creative solution under time pressure, high stakes and vague information that is credited with saving his life.

Improvements in intuitive decision making is much sought after by military, corporations, medicine and other "expert" fields that face similar conditions.

[ZeldaGlitterKitty]

It matters because Wag Dodge went to his grave haunted, uncertain whether he did the right thing. He was vilified by many people & it was only after his death that experts began being able to prove he was a hero. That is a hugely important legacy, not just for him (who died tragically far too soon) but for his family.

[wavepainter]

It's information.

Proving something is part of long years of discussion concerning Dodge's action.

This is not about proof but seeing the landscape of the event.

I'd say Dodge was a hero who gave his companions the best chance he could come up with.