A wall of fire came straight at Montana firefighter Dan Steffensen, leaving him with third-degree burns over 60% of his body. He was flown to the Utah Burn Center and placed in a coma—but Dan survived.
In this episode of Wheel With It, Devon Wieters talks with author and Montana State University professor A.J. Otjen about Dan’s remarkable story, chronicled in her book Burned Over: The Survival of Montana Firefighter Dan Steffensen.
A.J. shares what happened on the fire line, the extraordinary effort to save Dan’s life, the community of Red Lodge, Montana rallying around him, and the grueling road back to firefighting. We also talk about the dozens of firefighters, first responders, doctors, nurses, family members, and community members A.J. interviewed to tell Dan’s story.
Perhaps the most powerful lesson from Dan’s journey: “Between the past and the future is acceptance.”
🔥 Find Burned Over in print, Kindle, and audiobook formats.
🌐 A.J. Otjen: ajotjen.com
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