[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 108 (Thursday, August 1, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S7890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF THE EFFORTS OF SOUTH DAKOTA'S 
COMMUNITY FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO CONTAIN THE GRIZZLY GULCH AND LITTLE ELK 
                              CREEK FIRES

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I want to recognize the heroic 
efforts of over 60 South Dakota community fire departments and the 
State of South Dakota's Wildland Fire Suppression Division in 
responding to recent forest fires in the Black Hills. Their work was 
heroic, professional, and saved several Black Hills communities from 
complete devastation.
  On Saturday, June 29, 2002, a forest fire broke out in Grizzly Gulch, 
south of the town of Lead, SD, and near the town of Deadwood. Steep, 
rugged hills and unstable terrain crisscross the Black Hills impeding 
efforts to control the early stages of a forest fire. By Saturday 
evening, fire had crept within a few hundred yards of the historic city 
of Deadwood and in some instances flames literally touched the sides of 
houses. Ninety-degree temperatures, high winds, and low humidity levels 
fueled the fires run up ridges and engulfed thousands of acres in a 
matter of hours. If it had not been for the quick reaction and 
professionalism of the South Dakota Wildland Suppression Office and the 
men and women who established a fire line between Deadwood, the city 
could have witnessed a catastrophic fire.
  Within a few hours Joe Lowe, the Grizzly Gulch Incident Commander, 
had marshaled over 250 personnel, including several hand crews, 7 heavy 
air tankers, and pieces of heavy earth-moving equipment to keep the 
fire from approaching Deadwood. By the Fourth of July the number of 
personnel fighting the fire swelled to over 670 with an influx of U.S. 
Forest Service crews under the authority of Paul Hefner, fire commander 
for the Grizzly Gulch blaze. As fire crews battled flareups and 
constructed fire lines to control the fire, high winds kept crews alert 
for what firefighters refer to as slop-over, flames jumping the line 
and burning out ahead of the fire line.
  South Dakotans responded. Volunteer firefighters from 60 community 
fire departments from as far away as Sioux Falls descended on the 
region. After the fires were contained, Deadwood sponsored a night of 
festivities to thank the hundreds of firefighters who battled the 
Grizzly Gulch fire and saved the town of Deadwood. The town's round of 
applause and appreciation spoke for the entire State's gratitude for 
the bravery of our community firefighters.
  At the fire's peak, over 900 firefighters fought the Grizzly Gulch 
fire, putting themselves in harm's way to save the towns of Lead and 
Deadwood. Through their selfless action, the community and State 
firefighters of South Dakota reaffirmed that during a crisis South 
Dakotans speak with one voice. I would like to add my voice and say 
thank you to the men and women who served us so proudly last 
month.

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