I’ve spent the past two weeks covering the Millie Fire in Gallatin National Forest for various local news sources. Rather incredible coincidence had Chi Wulff Jake and I up the Storm Castle drainage within a mile or so of where the fire started on the 29th. We were driving back from West Yellowstone, saw the budding plume, and decided to investigate. With the fire girl Subaru flinging gravel, we just made it in before the main canyon roads were closed.
From the 29th on, I’ve spent time at the fire, working with the Forest Service and various individual teams. Dan Cottrell, Type 2 Incident Commander and smokejumper, was an unofficial escort my first day in and ended up being my contact throughout the incident.
I can’t say how refreshing it is to work with someone on the ground and not a desk jockey. Much more pleasant and makes my job easier. Dan has been fantastic and I look forward to working with he and his team in the future. My last day in the incident, we drove up to an overlook and had a vantage point over the burn area. I never cease to be amazed and what these men and women can do in the terrain that presents itself.
We then headed back into the main fire camp and explored a bit. To a person, the team was pleasant to work with and friendly. The fire camp sometimes seemed more like a gathering place for a big, diverse, professional family than the pop-up camp it really was. These people know their jobs and most certainly “get ‘er done” but it quickly became evident that the fire community is a close-knit team.
As of 1030h (MST) on 9 September, the Millie Fire sits at 10,205 acres and 40% containment. 545 personnel are on the ground at this time. Considering the fire ran from nothing to nearly 10,000 acres in the first two days (28 and 29 August), the crews have done a remarkable job at holding and getting an upper hand on the incident. Pending weather, things look pretty good over here.
Thanks to all personnel on the Millie Fire for your hard work in rough terrain.
