Mann Gulch smokejumper dies

Robert Sallee, the last survivor of Montana’s Mann Gulch fire, died Monday from complications following open heart surgery. The Spokane Valley resident was a 17-year-old smokejumper during the 1949 fire, which killed 13 of his colleagues. He gave interviews to Norman Maclean for his book, “Young Men and Fire,” and later talked to many firefighting groups about the tragedy. Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home is handling arrangements.