Big Lake rose from the ashes 10 years ago

May 28, 2006

By DAWN DE BUSK

Frontiersman

BIG LAKE - Ten years ago, the destructive Miller's Reach Fire brought together not only the community of Big Lake, but also surrounding areas, where people battling the fire and struggling to save lives and property joined in a common effort, and residents experienced similar fears and elation, depending on their personal loss.

In 2006, as that summertime anniversary rolls around, Valley residents again find a common ground as they gather to commemorate the Miller's Reach Fire and celebrate the regrowth and increased fire awareness that has occurred with the passage of time.

&#8220We're going to have a block party with the library and fire department,” Bill Gamble, the District II Chief for Big Lake Fire and Meadow Lakes Fire departments and emergency rescue services, said.

The so-called &#8220block party” will incorporate three events: The day-long registration for the summer reading program at the Big Lake Library, the 10-year anniversary of the Miller's Reach Fire, and the 25th anniversary of the Big Lake Fire Department.

Gamble, who served as the Big Lake Fire Department chief in 1996 when the flames got out of control and consumed 400 homes, said the community has matured since the fire.

&#8220People are much more aware of how devastating a wildfire can be. Those who were here then have taken the time to do a defensible space around their home and maintain their property so it's accessible to firefighters during a fire,” Gamble said. &#8220We can't be at everyone's house. That was a complaint during the Miller's Reach Fire. Everyone wanted a fire truck in their yard protecting their home and property.”

Residents have taken control by protecting their own property with Firewise recommendations, he said.

In 1996, the Valley radio station, KMBQ, embraced yesteryear's primary purpose of radio communication - informing residents where the fire was traveling from minute to minute.

&#8220There's a very intimate relationship between the radio station and the people of Big Lake. KMBQ played a crucial role. We went live 24 hours a day for seven days straight. We didn't play music,” said radio station owner John Clapperich.

&#8220It was definitely a chaotic, crazy and wild scene. It was a great time for us to do what we do best.”

Clapperich plans to share historical sound bites from the event, and tell some stories about the hectic days during the unpredictable wildfire.

For example, he said, &#8220We had a reporter in a canoe in front of Martin Buser's home. The fire was scooting down along the shoreline. In order to stay semi-cool and protected, we were on the lake.

&#8220The fire jumped near the shoreline. We had to turn the canoe upside down, and he was reporting the action from underneath the canoe.”

As part of the reading program, a story teller from New Mexico, Bob Kanegis, will share tales with participants, according to Jo Cassidy, head librarian with the Big Lake Library.

&#8220He will incorporate stories about fire into his presentation,” Cassidy said, adding he will be telling stories from 6 to 7 p.m.

Cassidy was concerned that with all the hoopla, people might forget that the event started out as story-time sign up day. Many of the planned activities are more children-oriented, such as a visit from Smokey Bear, Sparky the Fire Dog and State Farm Insurance's Good Neigh Bear, she said.

&#8220My son is 3 years old, and it'll be while before he signs up for the reading program,” Fire Chief Gamble said, &#8220but we've been reading to him since he was born. My wife's a teacher and we have a stack of books. My daughter is 16 and she's grown up being read to. Like most parents, we want our children to excel.”

Another ritual of the annual reading program registration is a community potluck. Cassidy stressed that residents should bring side dishes and desserts, since the library will provide barbecue meat and drinks.

&#8220The number of participants may outweigh the amount of food provided,” she said.

As part of its 25th anniversary, the fire department will hold an open house, showing off the station and the gymnasium on the property as well as recruiting volunteers, Gamble said.

The emergency personnel also will control traffic so participants crossing the road between the fire station and the library can do so safely.

In a symbolic gesture, a single tree will be planted around 5 p.m.: Most likely a crab apple or other deciduous tree. A deciduous tree loses it leaves in the autumn unlike the black spruce that helped fuel the Miller's Reach Fire.

&#8220It's a commemoration, not a celebration of the fire, which was a terrible thing. It's how we've risen above it,” Big Lake Chamber of Commerce executive director Randi Perlman said.

&#8220Most people have stayed and rebuilt. The houses and homes that were damaged are building back up. We happen to be a growing, thriving community despite that fire 10 years ago.”

Contact Dawn De Busk at

352-2252, or dawn.debusk@

frontiersman.com.