Welcome to Awe, Nice! where we highlight moments of wonder while working outdoors.

Sometimes I think I should call this show, Oh, No!

For many, the moments they recall have excitement and wonder, but also scary predicaments.

Over the next few weeks, I'm turning attention to wildland firefighters. This is partly because they deserve attention and partly because I met several this summer on the Stoner Mesa fire, which burned over 10,000 acres north of Dolores. I work cows on one of the Forest Service allotments that was right on Stoner Mesa. For weeks, my boss and I were pretty busy tending to the cows and trying to stay clear of the firefighters.

This week, I interviewed Doug Falconi, who was a division supervisor trainee on the Stoner fire.

He recalls the eastern Montana Ash Creek Fire of 2012.

2012 was an incredibly intense year for wildfires, the third worst in US history. 67,774 wildfires burned over nine million acres. In Montana alone, 1.2 million acres burned. The Ash Creek fire was the sixth largest, burning 250,000 acres.

Doug arrived as part of the only hot shot crew on the fire, when it was just 5,000 acres. As you might imagine, fire fighting resources were being spread thin that summer.

Just a mention of wildland fire vernacular – 'overhead' is the bosses above the crews.

This is the first Awe, Nice! moment that we're splitting into two segments.

Awe, Nice! welcomes interviewees. If you have a moment you experienced while working outside and would like to share it, contact us here.

Our music is by my friend, Forrest Van Tuyl. You can find a link and a donate button here.

Keep your eyes, ears, and mind open. Until next time.