The Mann Gulch fire mural on the Lyndale Tunnel was officially dedicated on the fire's 75th anniversary as attendees gathered around for a ribbon cutting by the artist. Elise Perpignano, the muralist, with giant scissors in hand, cut the ribbon on "3" before people could get through the rest of the countdown out of excitement. "It was an incredible experience that I will never forget," she said.

"This has really been a labor of love." Mayor Wilmot Collins spoke to a crowd of a couple-dozen people, saying that everyone should remember the Mann Gulch fire as a testament of bravery. Chiara Cipriano, public affairs officer for the U.

S. Forest Service, said she was honored that Perpignano took the time to capture details about the fire's history. Miss Montana, the DC3 that carried the smokejumpers who died, flew over the observance.

Some of the details within the mural that ran throughout the tunnel were a beaver, dragonfly, fish, otter, plants and flowers. Most of these pieces in the mural were covered by painted blue skies. Also featured in the mural was a spot dedicated to Juliana Turchetti, a pilot who died while fighting the Horse Gulch fire on July 10.

She was in an Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft and tried scooping water, but crashed. Once the ceremony was finished, Perpignano said she had "never felt lighter" and was thankful to all of the people who contributed in making the mural a reality. Two attendees, Maggie Doherty and Rosanna Finley, said they were excited to see it fi.