Original Footage of Fish Fire in Sundance WY, July 31, 2022

There is a large forest fire in the Black Hills National Forest currently, which is occuring directly across the road from my home. For three days I've had amazing views of the fire and the efforts to contain it. Interestingly, on the first morning of the fire, upon seeing it I jumped on my dirtbike motorcyle to go see if I could be of any help since I know a couple families who live dangerously close to it. At the gate to the forest trail, I ran into the first Forest Service fire truck on the scene. I thought he would tell me to get back and go home, but instead, he said it would be of great help if I rode ahead into the forest on my dirtbike to try and find a route to the fire that the trucks could reach. No one had yet located the exact location of the fire, and since my dirtbike could slip through several locked gates and traverse the off-road terrain quickly, I could be of help. With one of the neighbors, Tom, who was on a four wheeler, we explored three or four miles of trails into the forest and sure enough found the fire and how to access it directly. I was the very first person to find and arrive at the fire, following the route Tom suggested, but speeding ahead on my nimble two wheeler. Tom and I returned and led the fire crew to the base of the fire, and then the firemen gave us bright pink tape and asked us to retrace the route, marking the route with the tape so the other trucks would be able to find it. It was very exciting and I was so glad I could actually be of help.

The fire is still burning out of control, however I believe the fire crews have managed to protect all the local homes that were in serious danger, and it seems to be dying down and under control in my immediate vicinity. It appears the fire has moved deeper into the Black Hills to the east. There are homes back there as well, but not immediately. All in all is was fascinating to watch the fire grow and the well organized response to put it out. I’m deeply grateful that my immediate community remained unharmed.