Big Ed.

Turn of the century forest fighter Big Ed Pulaski became a hero in the massive fire of 1910. Over 5 million acres of forest burned that hot dry summer. Several smaller fires became a huge inferno whipped by 80+ mph winds. Pulaski and his crew of 45 were miles from the relative safety of any towns when they became trapped by the blaze. His knowledge of the area allowed him to convince his men to follow him to the only safe place he could think of, an abandoned mine shaft on placer creek. One of his crew died on the way as a massive burning cedar tree fell on him as they made their way through the fire.

Just as they arrived the fire completely engulfed the area and Pulaski ordered his men inside. Many thought they would die for certain inside the shaft and Pulaski had to hold them at bay at gunpoint threatening to shoot any man that tried to leave the tunnel. As men were passing out around him from smoke and heat Pulaski doused the blankets he had hung over the opening until the smoke finally overtook him as well.

Many hours later he awoke, blind and burned, to find that all but 5 of his men had survived the blaze around them. They hiked out over miles of wasteland of burned and smoldering trees for hours until they finally reached a group heading into the hills looking for survivors. When the men reached the town of Wallace they were greeted by townspeople who were waiting with coffee and whiskey, nice choice eh? Pulaski spent months in the hospital and never fully recovered his eyesight but continued to work for the forest service until he retired at 62.

Yesterday we hiked the trail up Placer Creek to the Pulaski Tunnel and learned of his amazing adventure. Don't be scared by the man pointing a gun on the interpretive sign, I was packin' just in case he tried anything or the Cougar showed up. It was a nice way to spend the day and think about how Big Ed Pulaski would have made a great addition to the HOY7 Hunting Team.

GBCH