Interviewer
Mark Hufstetler; Kjell Petersen; Beth Hodder
Files
Description
Britt Franklin, a fire lookout at Red Plume Mountain in the Flathead National Forest of Montana in 1967, shares his experiences during a memorable summer marked by severe fire danger. He details his journey from Georgia to Montana; his training at Spotted Bear; and his daily routines at Red Plume, including cooking, reporting weather, and dealing with wildlife. Franklin recounts a significant thunderstorm incident where he witnessed St. Elmo's fire. Post-lookout, he served in the Air Force, including a tour in Vietnam, and later worked at the National Security Agency. His time at Red Plume profoundly impacted his life, fostering a deep respect for nature and a lasting connection to Montana.
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Document Type
Oral History
Original Date
2-22-2026
Time Period
Twentieth century; Twenty-first century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
Northwest Montana Lookout Association Oral History Project OH-453, Archives & Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 453-035
Media Type
Moving Image; Sound; Text
Original Format
video/mp4; audio/mp3; application/pdf; text/plain
Digital Format
video/mp4; audio/mp3; application/pdf; text/plain
Run Time
00:57:03 minutes
Local Filename
OH_453_035_video_use.mp4; OH_453-035_audio_use.mp3; OH_453-035_transcript.pdf; OH_453_035_video_caption.srt
Citation
Franklin, Britt, "Britt Franklin Interview, February 22, 2026" (2026). Northwest Montana Lookout Association Oral History Project. 35.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/nwmt-ffla/35