Higgins Ridge Fire | Higgins Ridge

Higgins Ridge caught fire on August 4, 1961. A group of smokejumpers from Missoula, Montana were the first to respond to the fire. They called on their training and the experience of their leaders to attempt to contain it. Despite their efforts, the fire continued to grow. Just as the crew was feeling overwhelmed by the task before them more smokejumpers, led by experienced crew leader, Fritz Wolfrum landed on Higgins Ridge. The change in weather posed a new threat to the crew as they worked together to use different strategies to hold the fire back and relied heavily on the wisdom of their leaders.