Wildland Firefighters National Monument facts for kids
The Wildland Firefighters National Monument is a special place in the United States. It honors brave firefighters who fight wildfires in forests and wild areas. This monument is located on one acre of land. You can find it at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho. The monument was officially opened on May 25, 2000.
Contents
History of the Monument
Why the Monument Was Built
In 1994, a sad event happened. Fourteen firefighters lost their lives fighting the South Canyon Fire in Colorado. The Wildland Firefighter Foundation helps firefighters and their families. This group wanted to find a way to remember these fourteen heroes. They also wanted to honor all other firefighters who died while doing their job. This idea led to the creation of this important monument.
What You Will See at the Monument
The area where the monument stands was once a parking lot. Now, it is a beautiful park and memorial.
The Firefighter Statues
The main part of the monument features three large statues. These statues are eight feet tall. They are made of bronze, a strong metal. An American artist named Lawrence Nowlan designed and created these statues. They show firefighters in action.
The Waterfall Feature
A special waterfall is also part of the monument. Bill Michell and Hugh Carson, who worked at the Fire Center, designed it. Mr. Carson used to be a stone mason. He spent two summers building the waterfall. The Boise Smokejumpers helped him every day. They mixed cement and placed rocks. These rocks came from a local quarry. Ted Rex used a large machine to move bigger rocks. One rock weighed four tons! It needed the biggest crane in Boise to put it in place.
The Park and Walkway
The monument and its statues are surrounded by one acre of land. A walkway leads visitors through the park to the memorial. This path has special granite stones. These stones have the names of people and groups who supported the monument. The park around the monument is planted with local plants. You can see native trees, wildflowers, shrubs, and grass from Idaho.
A Similar Memorial in Arizona
In August 2013, another statue was placed in Prescott, Arizona. It is a copy of one of Lawrence Nowlan's firefighter sculptures. This statue honors nineteen firefighters. They died in the Yarnell Hill Fire in June 2013.
