Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 59 EQUINE ART EXTRAVAGANZA. This year's Equine Art Extravaganza will be held on August on August 18, 2018. Visit DunrovinRanchMontana.com for information. CAFFÉ FIRENZE. Bitterroot Valley restaurant Caffé Firenze did not skip a beat as its owners evacuate their home, continued their catering services, and welcomes firefighters for breakfasts. Last year's Lolo Peak fire engulfed much of the Bitterroot Valley. On the Friday night before our planned Equine Art Extravaganza fundraising event, the fire literally lit up the skies and outlined the horizon in an orange blaze, creating some dramatic photographic opportuni- ties. As we watched, we wondered if we could possibly proceed with the event. Our artists had been assembled, tickets had been sold, and we had polished the venue to spic and span perfection in anticipation of the art contest of painting live horses. After spending much of the night monitoring conditions and keeping everything as wet as possible, we woke to eerie hazy skies that were sufficiently free of smoke to proceed. Everyone scrambled to pull it off. e venue needed a second cleaning as ash had settled on every surface. Our caterers had to evacuate their own homes before regrouping at their restaurant with what- ever staff was available to work and head in our direction. One of our competing artists had to withdraw so she could assist her parents evacuate their herds of sheep. In the mist of all that turmoil, she made her way to Dunrovin to deliver the lovely hand painted horses that were to serve as our table decorations. e event came to- gether, a testament to the way Montanans face adversity–head on, hands and back ready to work, and lots of spirit to have fun despite all. Joe's last summer visit left us with a changed landscape. We who live with the reality of wildfires understand that new life is already taking over. is will be the year for mushroom hunting. e next few springs will explode with wild flowers as the forests glow with the bright pink stalks of the fireweed. Black-backed woodpeckers will hurry in to take ad- vantage of the charred trees. Life always rushes back to clothe the mountains in different colored robes. It will be a wonder to watch. Fire across the river Painted horses against the smoky sky DANIEL BIRLUT JOHN ASHLEY TAMAR KASBERG

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