Fire is an essential tool for Ryan Schmidt ’12 and Melanie Louis ’12, land stewardship director and land stewardship associate for Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF). Schmidt and Louis learned about prescribed fire while working with professor of biology Russ Benedict at Central. Now, it’s part of their restoration efforts for INHF. After learning to use fire skillfully, Schmidt and Louis also became certified to fight wildfires — and recently returned from fighting fires in Washington and Kansas.
“It was a very rewarding and eye-opening experience,” says Louis. “I met talented, determined, professional and selfless people. I learned a lot about myself and challenged myself both physically and mentally. I’ll never forget how grateful people were whenever they saw a uniformed fire fighter at a restaurant, gas station or the airport — and their willingness to go out of their way to thank us personally.”
Melanie Louis, former cross-country runner and biology major, climbs to fight the Rail Fire in Oregon.
Ryan Schmidt, former football player and biology major, served on a 2015 wildfire crew in Montana.
Louis’ crew camped near Unity, Ore., while fighting this year’s Rail Fire.
Louis’ crew examines hot spots to prevent fire reigniting. Members carry heavy packs all day — 12 hours — while fighting fires.
Smoke fills the valley during Oregon’s Rail Fire.
Schmidt and Louis serve with fire teams from Missouri and Iowa through the Missouri-Iowa Interagency Coordination Center.
Louis (center) completed fire training during her senior year at Central, then became wildfire certified in 2015 and 2016.
Read more about Ryan Schmidt and Melanie Louis in Civitas.
