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Stand 6 - Jansson Turn Around and Aftermath

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

This optional stand is located .5 miles up from the mouth of Mann Gulch, near Gisborne’s Memorial Plaque. This stand is particularly pertinent if the Staff Ride is for fire managers, since that was Jansson’s job. From here you can note the fire origin and the spot fires that Jansson could see in the bottom and on the north side of Mann Gulch.

Ranger Jansson preformed multiple fire duties during August 4th and 5th, including making patrol flights, mobilizing and supporting firefighters, and dispatching.

At 5:02 PM on August 5th Jansson started hiking up Mann Gulch to scout the fire and ascertain if the jumpers had made it into Mann Gulch. He estimated the wind to be between 20 and 30 mph. After traveling about 40 chains he noticed the fire had crossed the bottom of the gulch in two places. He thought he heard voices and proceeded another 100 yards to investigate. Somewhere between 5:18 and 5:20 PM he turned around, ran back through flames, and passed out. When he revived the fire was only a few feet away and backing towards him. At 5:45 PM he headed back to Meriwether in the boat.

At 9:20 PM Smokejumper Foreman Dodge made contact with Jansson in the Meriwether camp and confirmed the jump and location. This was the first time Jansson learned that an accident had occurred, and from then he lead the rescue effort through Sunday afternoon the 7th.

Staff ride participants at optional Stand 6 near the Harry T. Gisborne memorial marker. He became the 14th victim of the Mann Gulch Fire, when in September of 1949, he suffered a heart attack while studying the fire behavior and effects of the Mann Gulch Fire.

Staff ride participants at optional Stand 6 near the Harry T. Gisborne memorial marker. He became the 14th victim of the Mann Gulch Fire, when in September of 1949, he suffered a heart attack while studying the fire behavior and effects of the Mann Gulch Fire.

Historic photo of Canyon Ferry District Ranger, Robert Jansson. Stand 6 focuses heavily on the aftermath of the Mann Gulch Fire and it's impacts on the survivors and our culture.

Historic photo of Canyon Ferry District Ranger, Robert Jansson. Stand 6 focuses heavily on the aftermath of the Mann Gulch Fire and it's impacts on the survivors and our culture.

 
Location (SRS)
POINT (-111.9039833 46.8799)
Related Stand
Staff Ride to the Mann Gulch Fire

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