The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is set to unveil a new photographic exhibition titled “Fire on the Mountain: Photographs of Wildland Firefighting by Kyle Miller,” opening to the public on October 26, 2024, in the John Bunker Sands Photography Gallery.
This compelling exhibition showcases the work of Wyoming Hotshot Captain Kyle Miller, who provides a rare, intimate look into the world of wildland firefighting. As both a seasoned firefighter and an accomplished photographer, Miller captures the intense realities of battling fires and the broader implications of wildfires on our environment.
Since beginning his firefighting career in Montana in 2004, Miller has documented wildfires while serving as a captain with the Wyoming Interagency Hotshot crew. His striking images reveal the physical and mental challenges faced by firefighters, offering a unique perspective from someone deeply entrenched in the action. Hotshot crews, like Miller’s, are specially trained teams that combat the most hazardous and rapidly spreading fires using ground tactics and hand tools.
The exhibition will explore two main themes: Fire Ecology and the Human Element of Wildland Firefighting. Visitors will have the opportunity to reflect on how wildfires shape both the natural landscape and human communities, particularly in areas like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
A special preview for members of the center will take place on October 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. MDT, offering an exclusive first look at Miller’s photographs, along with appetizers and a cash bar.
The “Fire on the Mountain” exhibition is particularly relevant given the ongoing wildfires across the West, including the Elk Fire, which continues to threaten structures and natural habitats in the Bighorn Mountains of northeastern Wyoming. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West expresses its gratitude to the courageous firefighters working tirelessly to contain these blazes.