Warriors of the flame: Tribes' firefighters are the best of the best

By Joanne Bigcrane

Left to right: Mike Young, Alex Finley, Chantelle Begay, Verle Baker and Avery Old Coyote. Kneeling is squad boss Darrell Piapot. Not pictured: Jordan Hitchcock, van driver Joanne Bigcrane and crew bosses Vic Lumphrey and Lloyd Barnaby. (courtesy photo Joanne Bigcrane)

Before coming to the Garceau Fire to be a shuttle driver, my previous fire experience consisted of watching men and women in “yellow and green” heading to and coming from those distant smoky plumes in buses, trucks and engines. I was a mere ‘civilian’. Then as I went through the Standards of Survival training, required of those who might be called to drive in some capacity, I stepped over the threshold into the world of firefighters.

Just as long ago warriors had signature battle regalia. These men and women wear hard hats rather than porcupine roaches and feathers; they wear ‘fire ready’ boots with Vibram soles instead of smoked buckskin moccasins. They ride to battle in everything from pickups, vans, buses, bulldozers, water tankers, and skidgines; the horses are left behind. The ever-present collapsible fire shelter is a constant reminder of the danger.

The threat in this case is not an enemy tribe, but wild fire. This wild fire is not the domestic flame nurtured and contained by human hand, but the fire from the sky or from that one careless ember. Droughty conditions, dry forests, ladder fuels, pine needles and grass are fodder for the flame. It takes just that one spark to set the beast loose.

Long ago we had scouts on the look out, ever watchful for an armed interloper. Now we have manned high elevation lookout towers, fire specialists who watch meteorological data for dangerous weather indices, and Fire Control who gives the call to action. When the enemy is sighted, the people move in unison to respond: to protect and to defend. Land and timber resources, homes, and above all human safety: these combine to make the driving force that sends men and women to the fire line.

My fortune was driving the shuttle for Squad 3, made up of a squad boss and his group of fire fighters. Always ready to move out, dust and ash is their war paint. Their gear is rarely farther than two strides away from reach. Constant communication crackles and hisses over radios; directing, requesting, checking and double-checking on the location of the enemy.

This is not a place for loose cannons; this is the danger zone. Human safety depends on working together. Flames can fly faster than a person can run; falling trees, wind, smoke and dehydration are the weapons of wild fire. Water is your best friend - ‘hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!’

As I watched each fire fighter gear up, I saw the adrenalin build and calls ring through the air cheering and jibing each other on: “Best of the Best!” Their voices carry the challenge to each other and the other squads - they settle the heavy packs across their shoulders, they turn their faces to the smoke, and grip their tools - ready to be loosed upon the battle. Just as in long ago days, the old hands settle and direct their younger energetic fighters - safety, alertness, and teamwork - the squad bosses and crew bosses gather their force.

These men and women put in long hard days out on the line and at the end of the day they look forward to good food, rest, and on some occasions being greeted by family when they return to base. Quite often firefighters are staged in far-from-home arenas, and cell phones maintain contact with children, spouses, family, and friends. Our fire warriors fight just as our long ago warriors did - for family and their people. I listened to many voices that expressed their love of the land as well as their love for fire fighting.

All of you are the Best of the Best.

Be Safe. Thank You.