# @mysteryranch on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CKFi4CAKR1F
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18297149-mysteryranch-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/15201efca7.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-01-16T01:00:26.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** MYSTERY RANCH (@mysteryranch) — https://gondola.cc/mysteryranch

## Caption

BACKBONE CONTRIBUTOR - RIVA DUNCAN

We Don't Need Another Forestry Technician* Hero

I've started this essay numerous times since the helicopter crashed on the Mt Hood NF on August 25th – the helicopter manager and trainee are from my forest – but I couldn't land on a topic. I wanted to talk about fire fatalities. I wanted to talk about forestry technicians*. I wanted to talk about the mental health of those who fight fire. I wanted to talk about the dark realities of "heroism." Then after September 8th, I wanted to talk about the fires that roared through Western OR and WA, leaving tragedy in their collective wake. Each time I started to dive deep into thinking about which topic to focus on (I do a lot of writing in my head), I would feel overwhelmed and emotional. I had to just stop. I was in full compartmentalization mode for at least the first 14 days after the wind event that started on the 7th. It's the only way I could get through the long days of dealing with two large fires.

I had to focus on the work and task at hand and push everything else back into a dark corner. In my long journey into taking better care of my mental health, I know I will have to eventually light up that dark corner and deal with all of it. I must be getting there since I'm finally sitting down to write this.

Read more of Riva Duncan's Part 1 essay, link in bio ^^
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#builtforthemission #backboneseries #fire #wildlandfire #theanchorpointpodcast #mysteryranch #crew #wildlandfirefighter #wildfire #firefighters #fueledbynature #firetechnician #lifeontheline #1039 #forestrytech #operator #leaders #leadfromthefront

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 982
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 4

## Tags

wildlandfire, backboneseries, firefighters, wildlandfirefighter, operator, forestrytech, fire, mysteryranch, builtforthemission, lifeontheline, leaders, crew, wildfire, firetechnician, theanchorpointpodcast, leadfromthefront, fueledbynature, 1039

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