DEVILS DEN MEMORIAL TRAIL

project date: 2009 | by linda repplinger

The Devils Den Memorial Trail climbs two miles along the rugged fire-scared ridge with scenic look-outs above Oak Creek Canyon in the Fishlake National Forest, Utah. The trail honors Spencer Koyle, a wildland firefighter who died in the Devils Den Fire of 2006. Interpretive exhibits at the trailhead tell the story of how Spencer Koyle was caught in a sudden fire "blow up" as he was directing helicopter bucket drops onto the spot fires.

Along-the-trail exhibits teach hikers about conditions that make environments susceptible to fire, how wildland firefighters prepare to combat fire and keep safe, the specifics of different jobs in wildland firefighting, and how to assist the land in recovery after a fire. The exhibits were created to be educational for both the general public and wildland firefighters.