One of the most devastating fire seasons in the history of the United States began in 1910 with smoldering campfires, sparks from locomotives, and a few lightning-caused fires. Many small fires grew larger and spread quickly, and when ferocious winds hit in late August, witnesses said the mountains roared. As flames swallowed the mountains and valleys around them, the 200 residents of Taft rolled whiskey barrels into the street and dismissed the young forest rangers trying to recruit them to help save their town. When they finally faced the deadly threat, most quickly boarded trains for Missoula, leaving their emptied town in flames.