Whitehall: On the Scene Heroes

Editor's note: True heroes in Whitehall exist. On Monday, September 19 the Ledger received the following email and photos. The Ledger thanks Brant for sharing the story with everyone. Thank you, Patti and Brian, and all involved!

I was down visiting my friend Patti [Kugler] on her porch when we noticed a pickup going by that was dragging a partially unrolled wire fencing. I commented, "that could start a fire" and it was not even a minute later, Patti jumped up and yelled FIRE!

She called 911, threw the phone to me to finish the call, then hollered for Brian [her husband] who came out, hooked up a hose and dragged it through the fence. They were awesome!

The wind had been gusty all day and that fire took off fast. Patti also made a call to her neighbor, Josh, who had a 4-wheeler with a water tank. She ran down with a bucket of water before the hose got down there, but she might have well spit on it with that wind getting the flames going.

In no time two people stopped to help, both I think neighbors on the east side of Highway 55. Then Melissa from up the road, with shovel in hand; then Lisa and Josh. Everyone dove in and halted the progression of the fire making sure it was out.

All I know is I want these people on my team...every time. Thank you each and every one of you for your time, care, grit, and strength. It could have been so much worse!

On a side note, being in the thick of it (literally) it set off Patti's asthma rather badly, but it did not deter her from extinguishing the fire with her neighbors. She is doing better as I write this but taking it easy.

Just thought you might want to know what awesome people we have down here at the corner of Highway 55 and Fish Creek!

Rhonda Brant

Whitehall, Montana