Elkhorn Fire Point Protection

[The 2024 Summer Issue of Two More Chains focused on leadership and highlighted incidents in which firefighters who weren’t “in charge” suddenly needed to make leadership decisions and take action. This short summary of the "Elkhorn Fire Point Protection" incident—and its lessons—was one of these writeups that originally appeared in that Two More Chains issue.]

Violet is a FFT1 with five years’ experience. The Elkhorn Fire along the Salmon River in Idaho is making a nine-mile run. Violet is dropped off at Bargamin Bar to stop all boats heading down the river toward the fire. Over the radio, Violet hears jumpers downriver are heading to their safety zone. “This thing is coming right for me,” Violet thinks. “And this sandbar definitely isn’t a legit safety zone. What if I have to deploy my shelter?”

After a tactical pause to assess her situation, Violet scrapes a deployment area, limbs surrounding brush, and prepares to burn and ride it out. Just as Violet is about to start burning, a large group of boaters appears: 12 people on 4 rafts and 4 inflatable kayaks, including kids. Violet immediately notices concern and exhaustion on their faces.

Dale, one of the smokejumpers downriver, decides to head upriver with a local jet boat operator to assist. Violet, Dale, and the jet boat operator develop a plan: Deflate the kayaks and leave them at Bargamin; use the jet boat to take the kids downriver to a safe area; and have the remaining adults row the rafts and gear along with Violet and Dale. The two firefighters help the kids onto the jet boat and send them downriver.

Once on the raft, Violet notices the oarsman’s exhaustion. Having some whitewater experience and knowing what rapids are ahead, she offers to take the oars. The oarsman gratefully accepts. As the sun goes down, thanks to independent decision-making regarding risk and safety, all of the firefighters and private citizens involved in this blow-up event are all together in the clear air and safety of Whitewater Ranch.

Key Lesson

Empower people to make decisions.

Build trust on a foundation of good information.

There is always a point when people need to make independent decisions regarding risk and safety. These independent decisions become critical when resources are spread out. Building trust takes time. Effective relationships require vulnerability, especially as a leader. One success noted from the Elkhorn Fire is that nearly everyone assigned to the fire had worked with each other before, creating a positive trust climate and rapid team building.

What is the trust climate within your group?