By Steve Pate
Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” In this case, Steve Galchutt and a crew from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) prevented what could have been a major disaster on Mount Herman on Oct. 22. Galchutt’s hike up Mount Herman that day turned into a wildfire prevention event. After reaching the summit, Galchutt sat on his usual log to have lunch. While eating his sandwich and enjoying the view, he smelled smoke. The smoke led him to a smoldering illegal campfire that had been fanned back to life by gusty winds. He pulled out a flaming log and broke it up and poured the remainder of his drinking water on the fire. This campfire was still very much alive and needed to be doused with much more water.
Galchutt called 911, the appropriate emergency action when fire is spotted in our forests. The 911 operator put him in touch with USFS, which sent a crew up Mount Herman. Galchutt’s location coordinates did not get passed on to the Hot Shot crew. They called him from the trailhead and again near the summit to confirm his location. He was not visible and told them to listen for him playing When the Saints Go Marching In on his harmonica. Following that sound, the “Saints” came marching in with water and doused the remains of the fire.
Steve Pate may be contacted at StevePate@ocn.me.
Other On the trail articles
- On the Trail (in Memory of Tim Watkins) – Investigation of Tim Watkins’ murder revitalized (10/3/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Prescribed burn promotes forest health (7/6/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Palmer Lake bridge dedication ceremony (6/1/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Cadets build bridge over Monument Creek (5/4/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Mount Herman “Leap” (4/6/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Palmer Lake Reservoir hike (3/2/2024)
- On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Black Forest Trails Association (12/2/2023)
- Letters to Our Community – Protesting no parking signs at Pike National Forest (11/4/2023)