1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

 

 

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Incident Name:  Blackwater FireDate:  August 21, 1937Personnel:  15 lives lost, 38 injuredAge:Agency/Organization:  US Forest ServicePosition: firefighters, CCC

Summary:

Alfred G Clayton, Ranger South Fork District, Shoshone NF, age 45James T. Saban, CCC Technical Foreman - Tensleep Camp F-35 (former Forest Ranger onMedicine Bow and Chippewa NFs), age 36Rex A. Hale, Jr Assistant to the Technician, Shoshone NF; from the Wapiti CCC camp, age 21Paul E. Tyrrell, Jr Forester, Bighorn NF (Foreman), died later at hospital 8/26, age 24Billy Lea, Bureau of Public Roads Crewman, originally from OR, died later at hospital

CCC Enrollees: Tensleep Camp F-35 in the Bighorn NF; Company 1811 - 3 months earlier

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

came from Bastrop area of Texas, ages 17 to 20 yearsJohn B. Gerdes of Halletsville TX Will C. Griffith, Bastrop TX Mack T. Mayabb, Smithville TX George E. Rodgers, George TXRoy Bevens, died later at hospital in Cody, WY, of Smithville TX Clyde Allen, McDade TX Ernest Seelke, LaGrange TX Rubin D. Sherry, Smithville TXWilliam Whitlock, died later at a hospital in Cody WY, of Austin TXAmbrocio Garza, died 8/23 at a hospital in Cody, WY, of Corpus Christi TX

On August 21, 1937, the tragic Blackwater Fire caused the death of 15 firefighters, injury of 38others, and burned approximately 1,700 acres of National Forest System lands on theShoshone National Forest, near Cody, Wyoming.

An electrical storm occurred in the general vicinity of Blackwater Creek on Wednesday, August18th causing a fire, which was not detected until August 20th. At the time of detection the fireappeared to be only 2 acres in size and was located in the drainage bottom. By the evening ofFriday, August 20th the fire had grown to approximately 200 acres and there were 58 men and7 overhead constructing fireline in an orderly manner and with good speed. Early Saturdaymorning the man-power was about evenly distributed along the two main flanks of the fire. Asmore crews arrived and line construction advanced to the east on the hottest section of fireline,a blow-up of the fire occurred at approximately 15:45 caused by the combination of anundiscovered "spot" and the passage of a dry cold front. In this conflagration 9 deaths occurreddirectly. Six additional men were so badly burned that death ensued, and 38 additional mensuffered injuries. (from the excellent Blackwater Staff Ride ) The Fireline Handbook wasdeveloped following this fire.

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

Urban Post and a number of youmg men with him on the rocky knoll were badly burned, butsurvived.

  Photos of some of the CCC "boys" (young men), from their Bastrop, Texas high schoolyearbook, thanks to Roxanne Hickman, professional photographer who resized and digitallyenhanced photographs from the small year book. Hover over photo for the name; click for largerimage.

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

Ambrocio Garza, Clyde Allen and Earnest Seelke

John Gerdes, Roy Bevins, and Rubin Sherry

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

This monument with the names of the fallen and injured is located on the Bighorn NationalForest above Meadowlark Lake. The monument is accessible directly next to US Highway 16.This highway runs from Worland to Buffalo, Wyoming over the Bighorn Mountains. The reasonfor the monument's location on the Bighorn National Forest is that the Ten Sleep CCCCompany (1811) that the fallen and injured crew were assigned to was stationed there.

From the Annals of Wyoming: Alfred Clayton sketch

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

Maps Burnover Location {mosmap lat='44.409965'|lon='-109.74025'|marker='0'|text='Burnover Location'}  

Blackwater Fire Sketch map from a report on the Staff Ride website

Blackwater Fire Progression Map, from the Staff Ride website Return to top

Reports, Documentation, Lessons Learned

Blackwater Fire, Shoshone National Forest, 1937 The following documents and reports came from the Blackwater Staff Ride documents page ;for more, visit the website. - Letter from the Regional Forester 9/37 (1.91 K pdf) - Rocky Mountain Regional Bulletin 11/37 (7.41 K pdf) United States. Department ofAgriculture, U.S. Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Bulletin Memorial Number Blackwater Fire.Vol. 20, No. 10: October 1937. - Ranger Post's statement (2.135 K pdf) Fire Control Notes. U.S. Department ofAgriculture, U.S. Forest Service. December 6, 1937. - Factors that Led to the Tragedy (1.482 K pdf) Fire Control Notes. U.S. Department ofAgriculture, U.S. Forest Service. December 6, 1937. - Handling of the Blackwater Fire: Fire Control Notes   (2.281 K pdf) by David P. Godwin.“The Handling of the Blackwater Fire.” Fire Control Notes. U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S.Forest Service. December 6, 1937. - Death in Blackwater Canyon: American Forester 12/37 (3.908 K pdf) - Smokejumpers and the Blackwater Fire by Karl Brauneis. “1937 Blackwater FireInvestigation.” Static Line. Vol. 3 – Edition 4, July 1997. (9 K pdf) - FOREST ARMY, Remembering the CCC: Death on the Fire Line: The Blackwater Fire of1937 (Excellent historical narrative by Michael,whose passion is CCC history.) [Excerpt] In the immediate aftermath of the Blackwater Fire, David P. Godwin of the ForestService Division of Fire Control based in Washington, DC conducted the governmentinvestigation of the event. In his report, Godwin found little fault with the foremen andsupervisor’s handling of the fire. Godwin’s attention focused on the travel times of the unitsreacting to the fire and specifically on the critical delay experienced by the crew from theTensleep camp. Godwin speculated that, had they arrived as scheduled, the Tensleep crewwould not have been deployed where they were when the fire blew up and thus may very wellhave survived unharmed. Today, Godwin is remembered as the man who, just two years after the Blackwater fire,authorized the expenditure of funds to carry out parachute jumping experiments linked to firesuppression. To say that Godwin, the man who investigated the Blackwater fire, had a hand inthe creation of what came to be known as the smokejumper program is not an overstatement.One has to wonder what role the Blackwater tragedy had in sharpening Godwin’s resolve to putcrews on the fire line in rapid fashion, thus leading to his support for airborne suppressiontactics. - Martin Alexander & Miguel Cruz, 2011: What are the Safety Implications of Crown Fires? Like all of Wyoming, the scale is huge:

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

Jack Seaman of Ten Sleep was kind enough to share some photographs from his familyphotograph collection of the CCC Camp at Ten Sleep (Meadowlark Lake). Photo credits: theJames T. Saban Family Collection.

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Wildlandfire.com Links: - Theysaid: 2001 "Original Intent" Ten Standard Fire Fighting Orders from Karl Brauneiswith additional Historical note May, 11, 2006 - WLF Memorials and Monuments: Photo page - Wildland Firefighters' Monument and Memorial Sites Return to top

Media Articles and Reports.

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

 

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

- The Daily Plainsman, Aug 24, 1937, p7 CODY. Wyo- Aug. 24 -- Superviser John Seiker, of the Shoshone National Forest, said todaylightning, striking a remote pine filled canyon, "unmistakably" caused the savage forest blazethat took the lives of 14 firefighters. Seiker reported 500 weary and smoke-choked men on thefire line now had the biaze under complete control. He estimated the flames hod swept over2,000 acres in the Absaroka Mountains. "Lightning is the only possible thing that could havestarted a fire in there," Seiker declared. "There is no human habitation within seven or eightmiles of the canyon entrance," he said. "We are sure, too, that no party of humans went into thecanyon before the fire started." The fourteenth victim of the fire died last night in a Codyhospital. He was Ambrocio Garza of Corpus Christi, Tex., member of the Tensleep CCC camp. Return to top

Photos, Videos, & Tributes - Hike and CCC Memorial Markers: Opportunities for learning from the tragedy Blackwater Interpreter Guide Staff Hike, Karl Brauneis. (This was the first trial staff hike with alocal Shoshone National Forest Crew.)

Memorial Trail Marker built in 1938 by the CCC. Text: Shoshone National Forest Blackwater Fire August 20-24, 1937This marks the beginning of the Fire Fighters' Memorial Trail which follows Blackwater Creekfive miles to the place of origin of the fire and thence to other points of interest. This fire wascontrolled after burning over 1254 acres of forest. Fifteen fire fighters lost their lives and 39others were injured when the fire was whipped up by a sudden gale on August 21. Signs andmonuments mark the important locations along the trail, including the fire camps, the first aidstation, Clayton Gulch where 8 men were killed, and the rocky knoll where Ranger Postgathered his crew to escape the fire. Clayton Gulch View

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

Gathering round the Clayton Gulch Memorial

Clayton Gulch Memorial built in 1938 by the CCC (All materials packed in by horse.) Text: On the afternoon of August 21, 1937 while fighting the Blackwater Fire, these brave menlost their lives in the gulch to the right of this marker.Will C. GriffithJohn B. GerdesRoy BevensJames T. SabanAlfred G. ClaytonRex A. HaleGeorge E. Rodgers,Mack T. Mayabb Spot in the Hole from the Post Point Memorial (Note: It is a 10 and 1/2 mile hike through grizzlycountry to get to Post Point on the fire. So, make sure you have bear spray or a 30-30 or bigframe revolver. The trail is very good and easy on horseback.)

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

Post Point Memorial, the third memorial built by the CCCs in 1938. Marks the location where thefirefighters with Post sought refuge. Text: Blackwater Fire August 20-24, 1937 Here on the afternoon of August 21, 1937, thirty-seven enrollees of CCC Company 1811 incharge of Ranger Post and Jr Forester Tyrell, with seven Bureau of Public Roads employeesincluding foreman Davis and Fire Cooperator Sullivan in charge, took refuge from the fire. Fivemen attempted to escape through the fire and four of them -- Lea, Allen, Seelke and Sherryperished. Ranger Post and all of the forty who remained with him received burns of varyingseverity and three of these -- Junior Forester Tyrrell, and enrollees Whitlock and Garza -- diedlater - Who Will Remember the Dead of Blackwater? FOREST ARMY, Remembering theCivilian Conservation Corps - CCC Resource Page: Remembering Some of the Dead at Blackwater Creek with photosof enrollee Clyde Allen, enrollee Rubin Sherre, enrollee Earnest Seelke, and survivor enroleePatzke. - Firefighters Monument, Wyoming Historic Place: On Highway 14/16/20 about 35 mi westof Cody WY in a turnout on the south side of the highway. Dedicated to the men trapped in the Shoshone Forest fire August 21, 1937 Died in the line ofduty: Foremen James A. Saban; Paul E. Tyrrell ; Enrollees Clyde Allen; Mack T. Mayabb; RoyBevens; George H. Rodgers; Ambrocio Garza; Earnest R. Seelke; John B. Gerdes; Rubin D.Sherry; Will C. Griffith; William H. Whitlock Burned in the line of duty: Enrollees Timateo Almager; Raymond Prazak; William G. Barnes;Oliver Randle; Hubert Ferris; David Rodriguez; Lewis Garcia; Julias Rodriguez; Juan Gomez;Andon Sanchez; Amos Hefner; Alcario Serros; Johnnie Levine; Henry Spomer; WeldonMackey; James T. Sullivan; William O. Mueller; David S. Thompson; Alton J. Murray; JamesTouchstone; James Ottmer; Vicente Valle; Herman F. Patzke; Johnnie Wisneski; Jose Perez;Charlie Wheelus; John D. Phillips; Havel Zaskoda; Henry Poehls; Joe Zavala Erected September, 1937 by Company 1811 C.C.C. Camp F-35-W Tensleep, Wyoming - State of Wyoming Memorial Page: Wyoming Fallen Firefighters - Alfred G. Clayton - Rex A Hale - Paul E. Tyrell - James Saban - POEM Alfred G. ClaytonRequiescat in PeaceBy L.C. Shoemaker and Roosevelt1937 We know you have heard the story,Which was news a few weeks ago;When fire in the State of WyomingFelled a ranger, with one fatal blow.It was only news to the manyWho gave it but passing thought;But to us who know fire-fightingTwas an act which God had wrought. You know how the accident happened;How he came to relieve the distressed;Took charge of the job of suppression,While others sought food and rest.With no intimation of dangerHe began his attack on the fire,And with not a thought that his forestWould soon be his funeral pyre. But fate and fiendish fire-forcesJoined hands to defeat the new foe;And he and his youthful companionsWere trapped - and their bodies laid low.But their spirits soared on to glory,To report to The Chief, up on High,Who, we know, gives to all a welcome,Who so gallantly, fearlessly die. When a soldier goes forth to battle,There are orders he must obey;But no high commands or bugle-callWere urging him on that day.He saw his duty and did it,And paid the full price it demands;But his name will live, as a symbolOf duty that needs no commands. To us he was truly heroicFor - "He died our forests to save";And that epitaph, carved on a tombstoneWould appropriately mark his grave.And whene'er we sit 'round our camp-fires,We'll recall his unselfish deed;And with sorrowful hearts rememberThat he, at the last, proved our creed. A hero? Oh no! just a rangerWho answered unquestioned the call;Whose motto - like ours - was service;Who gave to "The Service" his all.And a promise we give to his loved ones,That as long as rangers shall ride, The name of Alfred G. ClaytonWill still be remembered with pride. Transcribed from the original by Karl Brauneis, Forester at Lander, Wyoming - High Point Lookout and Lookout view from Karl Brauneis. The lookout is near themonument with names of the dead and ionjured on the Bighorn National Forest aboveMeadowlark Lake. This lookout has a road to it. It's an easy way to get the lay of the land byvehicle without a lot of hiking.

- There will be a May 15th, 2015 staff ride - hike - "Lessons Learned up the Blackwater - Invitation and map to the Ceremony celebrating the Rededication of the James T SabinLookout, June 20, 2015 at 1PM

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1937 08/21 WY 15-Fatality Blackwater CCC

  Return to top Contributors to this article: Karl Brauneis, Forester, retired USFS, Lander, Wyoming; JackSeaman of Ten Sleep provided Sabin Family photos; Mike Engelhart - Archeologist; CarolKysar - Bastrop County Historical Society Museum; Roxanne Hickman - professionalphotographer who resized and digitally enhanced crew photographs from a small high schoolyear book; and many more who worked on the Staff Ride.  

Please support the Wildland Firefighter Foundation  

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