Don was a Missoula Montana hotshot smoke jumper, living in the Bitterroot Valley that was killed in the firestorm on Storm King Mountain in Colorado on July 6,1994. Don was raised in the Bitterroot Valley, Hamilton Montana. On July 4 only about 3 acres were burning and the fire was a low priority along with many other lightning started fires in Colorado. All together there were 14 fatalities during this fire, most of them were the 9 Hotshots from Prineville, Oregon. They got caught on the fire line above the fire, when the fire blew up and started racing up the ridge. There was a strong breeze and very dry conditions which led to the blowup that day. After losing radio communication with the ground, and realizing their situation, their tools were dropped and they tried to escape by running up and over the ridge before the fire overwhelmed them. There were no good places to deploy the fire shelters between them and the top of the ridge, with lots of dry scrub for fueling the fire. Some other fatalities there on the fire did try to deploy shelters with them but they were not help full and resulted in deaths. One fire fighter, Kevin Erickson made it to the other side of the ridge but had burns on his neck and hands the others were not successful and perished on the mountain. Don turned back several times to help other fire fighters when he could have possibly saved himself. Because he was the first firefighter on the ground with his group he was the leader, it was normal for the first on the ground at that time to be in charge. Don and Kevin talked about Kevin taking charge but Don kept his leadership. After this tragedy the Federal Government changed their rules and regulations on fighting fire in the United States. Two other firefighters were killed here while working at one of the heliport sites. Several books have been written about the Storm King Mountain tragedy. Some of the problems they had on this fire was a lack of knowledge about weather conditions and also confusion over who was in charge of the rest of the 50 or so fire fighters at the fire. Memorials now mark the locations on Storm King Mountain where Don Mackey, Bonnie Holtby, Richard Tyler, Robert Browning, Jr. Scott Blecha, Jim Thrash, Kathi Beck, Terri Hagan, Doug Dunbar, Roger Roth, Tami Bickett, Levi Brinkley, Jon Kelso, and Rob Johnson died.-------------------------------------------------------------This is Don's Father.--- Robert "Bob" Mackey, 79 of Hamilton Montana passed away Friday, March 2, 2012 in his home with his wife and daughters by his side.
Bob is survived by his wife Nadine; daughters, Susan, Jan and Maryann. His son Don preceded him in death in 1994.
He had 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
There will be no memorial services. Arrangements are under the care of the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton.---------------------------------------------------------------------------Don left behind 2 children, Father, Mother and 3 sisters.--------------------Donald Mackey (9036138)

Suggested edit: Burial location is speculation and most likely incorrect. It is believed that Don's remains were skattered at a private location.
Contributor: Doug Terrell (49257726)