Lolo National Forest
Missoula, Montana
Background Information
The Lolo
Hotshots have roots in the beginnings of modern-day fire suppression
history.
Although the crew was officially recognized as a national shared resource in
1961 as
one of the original 9 Interregional crews, the crew originated from the
Blister
Rust control crews (BRC) who performed important forest health mitigation
work in
areas affected by Blister Rust infection. These crews were used for local fire
suppression
assistance and because of their experience, were often requested for fire
assignments
outside the region. In 1961, due to the nation-wide demand for the
more
experienced, mobile and organized suppression crews, the Forest Service
created
Interregional Fire Suppression Crews. Two of these crews were placed in
Region 1
(Northern Rockies), one based on the Nez Perce National Forest at Slate
Creek on
the Salmon River (this crew no longer exists) and the other on the Lolo
National
Forest at Ninemile Ranger District, 30 miles west of Missoula, Montana.
From
1961-1970 the crew was based at the Ninemile Ranger District then was
moved 40
miles west to the St.Regis Work Center in 1971 because the work center
was not
being used and could accommodate 25 people. This proved to be a logistical
problem
for the crew so they moved back to Ninemile where they were based
through
the 1981 season. In 1982 the crew’s base of operations was moved to the
Missoula
Ranger District where it remains today.
Crew Composition
Organization
of the crew has changed significantly since 1961. In the early years
(1961-1974)
the crew was composed of 1 Foreman, 3 Squad leaders, a Cook and 20
Crewmembers.
The Foreman (now Superintendent) was the only career appointed
position
on the crew. In 2004, the Superintendent and Assistant are permanent fulltime
employees,
with 3 Squad Leaders, 6 Senior Firefighters and 2 Apprentices
employed
under 13/13 career appointments. In 2011, the Superintendent and 2
Assistant
Superintendents are permanent full-time employees, with 2 Squad Leaders
and 4
Senior Firefighters employed under 13/13 career appointments. The remaining
10-11 are
employed as temporaries.
In 1974 the
number of individuals assigned to the crew dropped from 25 to 20 due
to
aircraft configuration and changes in flight weight limitations.
Significant Events
1980- The
first woman was hired on the crew.
1989-
Margaret Doherty became the first female Hotshot Crew Superintendent in the
nation.
1990-
ESPN documentary program “America’s Wilderness” profiles crew during preseason
training
and while on fire assignment. The hour-long production was
broadcast
worldwide on several occasions. The documentary included interviews with
several
crewmembers and footage of fireline operations. It gave a sense of what life
on a
hotshot crew is like and conveyed the diversity of both the people and the work
the crew
performs.
1994-
Marshall Brown* detailed as Superintendent vice Karkanen detailed to
Ninemile
District Fire Management Officer (6/94-2/95).
1998- CBS
News 48 Hours profiles crew during Hopper Fire in Southern California
and
conducts follow-up interviews. Broadcast in October 1998 (received their lowest
ratings
ever).
2001-
Holly Maloney* detailed as Superintendent vice Karkanen detailed into Forest
Deputy
Fire Staff (6/00-11/00).
2011-
Steve Karkanen retired in May as the longest running Lolo IHC
Superintendent.
Crew Leadership
1961 -
Ron Stoleson
1962 -
Lyle Brown
1963 –
Jay Penney
1964 -
1973 – George Bissonette
1974 –
Neil Ramberg
1975 –
Neil Ramberg/Kevin Brown
1976 -
1981 – Mike Cyrus
1982 –
Jerry Benson
1983 -
1984 Don Feser
1985 –
Roger Christopher
1986 –
Don Feser
1987 –
Steve Betlach
1988 –
Greg Power
1989 –
Margaret Doherty
1990 –
2010 Steve Karkanen
2011 – Present Tim LaRoche
