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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How did Maclean explain the change in the world after compassionately studying the fire at Mann Gulch?

2. What were the emotions governing the Mann Gulch tragedy since it was first analyzed?

3. According to Sallee and Rumsey, toward the end of their run, how many times did the smoke part in order for them to see the top of the ridge?

4. What did Maclean call the "No Man's Land" of the Mann Gulch fire?

5. When did Maclean begin his research on the Mann Gulch fire?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the author describe the final moments of the men's lives before the fire overtook them? What elements of nature were prominent in their lives just before their deaths? How did they actually die?

2. How did the perspective shift as the author continued his discussion of the fire from looking at the mushroom cloud in the sky? What did he hope to learn by changing perspective?

3. What happened to the men when they left the foreman, Dodge, at the site of the escape fire? What name did the author give to the point at which the men left? From what perspective did the author tell the story of their assent?

4. How did Jansson's explanation of why the non-flammable objects such as wallets and watches were found uphill from the men's bodies? How did his explanation differ from that of the Forest Service?

5. What were Sallee and Rumsey arguing about as Maclean approached them on the ridge? What did they agree on?

6. Whom did Maclean find at the Hoerner Waldorf-Champion paper mill? What information did this person give Maclean to move him along in his search for Sallee and Rumsey?

7. What was the movie released in 1952 about the Mann Gulch fire? What does Maclean note about the film and its historic accuracy?

8. What does Maclean believe has become the symbol of fear in the late twentieth century? What artist does he site as support for this claim?

9. What did Sallee and Rumsey explain to Maclean that answered one of his most important questions? What was the question? What was the answer?

10. When Maclean and his group began their trek to Mann Gulch, how did Maclean respond to those who were concerned about his heart being strong enough to make it to the site of the fire?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the escape fire set by Wag Dodge. Where was the fire located? Why did Dodge light his fire? Upon what information did he base his decision to light the fire? Why was it controversial? What has Dodge's fire contributed to modern firefighting? What are some of the theories concerning the escape fire causing the death of the Smokejumpers?

Essay Topic 2

Henry Thol, Sr. was the leader of the group of families suing the Forest Service for the wrongful death of their family members. Discuss Mr. Thol and the impact he had on the Mann Gulch fire. What was his opinion of how the young men died in the fire? Why was it important to Maclean's investigation?

Essay Topic 3

Maclean suggests that there were a set of specific and unique circumstances surrounding the jump into the Mann Gulch fire. He mentions, for example, that the radio broke upon landing leaving the Smokejumpers unable to communicate. What other specific events and circumstances made this jump unique and unusual? How did each event affect the outcome of the tragedy?

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