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In Episode 212 of Anecdotally Speaking, delve into the gripping tale of the Mann Gulch fire, a story that will challenge your views on underlying assumptions and problem-solving.

In Episode 212 of Anecdotally Speaking, Mark recounts the gripping tale of the 1949 Mann Gulch fire. This harrowing story offers profound lessons and business insights, including the importance of challenging assumptions and fostering innovation and creativity under stress.

Shawn and Mark delve into how to effectively use sidebars, enhance your narrative, and avoid common pitfalls that can disengage your audience. Additionally, they discuss how the Anecdotally Speaking podcast can help you effortlessly build your story bank, enhancing your communication both at work and home.

To enquire about workshops, refreshers and more, please contact us at people@anecdote.com

‘Thank You for Arguing’ by Jay Heinrichs (book)

For your story bank

Tags: Storytelling, Creativity, Problem solving, Change, Natural Resources, Firefighting, Innovation, Assumptions

The story begins at 2:19

On August 4, 1949, a lightning strike ignited a tree in remote Mann Gulch, Montana, sparking a fire. By 4:10 PM the following day, a group of elite firefighters known as smokejumpers parachuted from an aircraft to combat the blaze. This team of 15 smokejumpers, aged 15-28, were highly fit, with military experience, and considered the best of the best. Their foreman was Wagner Dodge.

Upon landing, they met up with a ranger and took a quick break for a meal before setting out to tackle the fire, which they expected to have under control by 10:00 the next morning, referring to it as a “10 O’clock fire.”

As they moved toward the fire, Dodge spotted the fire jump the Missouri river, racing toward them about 200 feet ahead. Noticing that no one else was aware of the approaching danger, he immediately shouted for everyone to turn and run. The team, burdened with heavy gear, began sprinting up a steep 76-degree hill, knowing that reaching the ridge would slow the fire down. It was a 700-yard dash to safety, and after eight minutes, they had covered 500 yards.

The 30-foot flames were closing in faster than they could run. Desperate, Dodge ordered them to drop their equipment. Some complied, but others held on to their gear. When they were just 200 yards from the ridge, Dodge began lighting the grass ahead of him with matches, much to the disbelief of his team. He urged them to come to his position, but they ignored him and continued racing up the hill.

Dodge lay down in the burnt patch he had created, covering his airways with a wet cloth. Tragically, only two of the team made it to the top of the hill. The remaining twelve smokejumpers and the ranger perished in the fire, some still holding their equipment. Wagner Dodge survived.