Two More Chains

This issue explores how stories and storytelling are so valuable to our wildland fire culture. Kip Gray also shares how stories help him learn. Kip was with the Prineville Hotshots that day in July 1994 when the South Canyon Fire claimed 14 lives. “We need to keep telling the stories,” Kip says, “for those who didn’t survive."

Our ten-year anniversary issue reflects back on what we’ve done and looks forward to where we’re headed. It includes the benefits and lessons of zooming out in a thoughtful retrospective on China’s 1987 Black Dragon Fire. In our “One of Our Own” feature, Anna Graves, Assistant Engine Module Leader with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides her insights on resiliency, innovation, and much more.

Last year the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center received a total of 160 learning-related documents from the field packed full of lessons. This issue focuses on these lessons. Here’s your opportunity. Let’s commit to learning from them.

This issue asks us all to reflect on the 2020 fire year and make a conscious decision about what innovations to maintain. Let's take stock of how we have advanced and how we can avoid regression.

The centerpiece of this issue is Curtis Heaton’s amazing story of survival when he comes face-to-face with death on the MacKenzie Fire. As Travis Dotson explains in the issue’s introduction: “Permit Curtis’ story to trigger emotion that leads to action. This is how we grow.” Continuing with this realities of risk theme, in his “Ground Truth’s” column Travis explores the consequences and ramifications of LCES: “No matter what you do, risk remains. Let’s continue to move toward improving risk assessment and adjusting what types of exposure we accept and why.”

This issue of Two More Chains acknowledges the unprecedented challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic. We focus on the positive aspects of our community that will help us orient and navigate through this hardship. In the “One of Our Own” feature, new Supervisory Fire Engine Operator Alex Plascencia discusses what’s prepared him for leading in this unparalleled COVID-19 fire season.

We provide the nuts and bolts on real-deal incidents that translate into actions you can take—on everything from ash pit burn injuries to chainsaw cuts. Our “One of Our Own” feature focuses on Brian Kliesen and his “Stop the Bleed” training insights. And if you want to know what’s on the minds of LLC staff members, check out their incident report “Staff Picks”.

Where’s Your Head At? This issue of Two More Chains is about helmets. Our heads matter. Are we doing enough to save our skulls? We also share wildland firefighter Kevin Reese’s hit-by-a-tree story. First the tree tries to kill him—then the bureaucratic aftermath does the same.

We love standards. We hate standards. What’s going on here? Plus, a comprehensive look into the rappel community’s lifesaving standardization.

This issue makes a case for how and why we are.