However, the Big Burn was too big to fight.
Dozens of smaller fires had combined into one big, terrible blaze, which got even worse when strong winds blew in form the northwest.
The fire was lifted into the tops of the trees.
Burning wood flew 10 miles (16 kilometers) away and started new fires.
Flames 300 feet (91.5 meters) high rose over the frightened friefightere.
A fire that big is a monster.
It makes its own weather, sucking air in to its center and twisting like a tornado.
Pulaski forgot about firefighting and focused on saving the live of the 45 men who were with him.