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Inside the Inferno: A Firefighter's Story of the Brotherhood that Saved Fort McMurray
An action-packed, on-the-ground memoir of the Fort McMurray wildfire and the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of the firefighters who saved the city.
In May 2016, what began as a remote forest fire quickly became a nightmare for the ninety thousand residents of Fort McMurray. A perfect combination of weather, geography and circumstance created a raging wildfire that devoured everything in its path. Winds drove the flames towards the town, forcing the entire population to evacuate. As the fire swept through neighbourhoods, it fell to the men and women of the fire department to protect the city.
Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Damian Asher was a fifteen-year veteran and captain in the city’s fire department. Day after day, Damian and his crew remained on the front lines of the burning city. As embers rained down around them, they barely slept, pushing their minds and bodies to the brink as they struggled to contain the fire. As he led his crew through the smoke and the flames, Damian had little time to worry about whether the house he had built for his family was still standing. With media unable to get into the locked-down city, the world watched in hope and fear, wondering what was happening on the fiery streets.
Finally, after weeks of battling the wildfire, the firefighters managed to regain control. When the smoke cleared, much of the city had been destroyed. Would things ever be the same? How would the city reunite? What would it take to rebuild life in Fort McMurray?
In May 2016, what began as a remote forest fire quickly became a nightmare for the ninety thousand residents of Fort McMurray. A perfect combination of weather, geography and circumstance created a raging wildfire that devoured everything in its path. Winds drove the flames towards the town, forcing the entire population to evacuate. As the fire swept through neighbourhoods, it fell to the men and women of the fire department to protect the city.
Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Damian Asher was a fifteen-year veteran and captain in the city’s fire department. Day after day, Damian and his crew remained on the front lines of the burning city. As embers rained down around them, they barely slept, pushing their minds and bodies to the brink as they struggled to contain the fire. As he led his crew through the smoke and the flames, Damian had little time to worry about whether the house he had built for his family was still standing. With media unable to get into the locked-down city, the world watched in hope and fear, wondering what was happening on the fiery streets.
Finally, after weeks of battling the wildfire, the firefighters managed to regain control. When the smoke cleared, much of the city had been destroyed. Would things ever be the same? How would the city reunite? What would it take to rebuild life in Fort McMurray?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2017
4 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 24, 2023
I was “nervous” as I started Damian Asher’s Inside the Inferno because of his use of the term brotherhood in the subtitle. I appreciate the spirit behind the word (it’s one reason why I love the fire service—our familial connections), but too often it hides the importance of our sisters in our industry. I was nervous, but I didn’t have to be. Asher, a captain with Fort McMurray Fire Department, and his coauthor Omar Mouallem used it inclusively to refer to the men and women who served their community in May and June 2016.
The Horse River Fire ripped through parts of Fort McMurray, Alberta, in May 2016. This book shares Asher’s memories of battling the fire and his family’s and city’s recovery. Asher managed to tell his story without singing his own praises, which many authors can’t do. He shared his decisions, actions, and observations seemingly authentically as his crews and countless other municipal, provincial, and industrial crews moved around the city engaging fingers, spots, and walls of flame. The fire eventually burned 1.4 million acres and over 3,200 strictures. Two people died while evacuating from the wildfire.
It’s an engaging story about a devastating fire. It could trigger some readers who survived similar wildfires, but it’s also a good reminder of what’s possible in our changing world, both negatively and positively.
The Horse River Fire ripped through parts of Fort McMurray, Alberta, in May 2016. This book shares Asher’s memories of battling the fire and his family’s and city’s recovery. Asher managed to tell his story without singing his own praises, which many authors can’t do. He shared his decisions, actions, and observations seemingly authentically as his crews and countless other municipal, provincial, and industrial crews moved around the city engaging fingers, spots, and walls of flame. The fire eventually burned 1.4 million acres and over 3,200 strictures. Two people died while evacuating from the wildfire.
It’s an engaging story about a devastating fire. It could trigger some readers who survived similar wildfires, but it’s also a good reminder of what’s possible in our changing world, both negatively and positively.
May 28, 2017
I'm an Albertan so this in-depth look at the Fort MacMurray fire was fascinating for me. A disaster story that the incredible work of firefighters kept from being so much worse.
I read very little non-fiction (mostly writing handbooks) but have been meaning to read more, so this was a bit of an experiment for me--and I'm happy it was so successful!
I read very little non-fiction (mostly writing handbooks) but have been meaning to read more, so this was a bit of an experiment for me--and I'm happy it was so successful!
May 2, 2018
I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
What an amazing book by Damian Asher, a captain and veteran in Fort McMurray's fire department. You read with awe, horror and sadness the events of early May 2016, as the firefighters of Fort McMurray didn't stop for days as they fought the fire that that became known as the Beast. Many of the firefighters lost their own homes, as the fire swept through neighbourhoods and it was up to the men and women of the fire department to protect the city. A book written from the heart, that will touch the hearts of everyone who reads it.
What an amazing book by Damian Asher, a captain and veteran in Fort McMurray's fire department. You read with awe, horror and sadness the events of early May 2016, as the firefighters of Fort McMurray didn't stop for days as they fought the fire that that became known as the Beast. Many of the firefighters lost their own homes, as the fire swept through neighbourhoods and it was up to the men and women of the fire department to protect the city. A book written from the heart, that will touch the hearts of everyone who reads it.
October 30, 2017
Last year I watched the news in fascination. The images of cars driving along highways with flames shooting hundreds of feet in the air behind them while evacuating Fort McMurray are forever imprinted in my mind. I can't imagine leaving everything I know and own behind, especially all those personal pictures and mementos
Inside the Inferno is a story, not only about the brave fight to save Fort McMurray but also the story of the loss that most of the residents suffered.
The story of the fire is told very well by firefighter Damian Asher. It is easy to forget how long this blaze burned and threatened the town, but he does an excellent job in not only explaining the exhaustion of the firefighters, but the physical and mental toll it took all those involved. Imagine fighting a wildfire that is threatening your community, while wondering if your own home is still standing or not.
This is a fast paced book that covers the journey of one man through the disaster. It is well worth reading.
Inside the Inferno is a story, not only about the brave fight to save Fort McMurray but also the story of the loss that most of the residents suffered.
The story of the fire is told very well by firefighter Damian Asher. It is easy to forget how long this blaze burned and threatened the town, but he does an excellent job in not only explaining the exhaustion of the firefighters, but the physical and mental toll it took all those involved. Imagine fighting a wildfire that is threatening your community, while wondering if your own home is still standing or not.
This is a fast paced book that covers the journey of one man through the disaster. It is well worth reading.
May 10, 2017
This book broke my heart. I think I cried throught 75% of this book.
What those firefighters went was extraordinary. He says in the book that they don't like the "h-word" because they don't see themselves as heroes, just people doing their jobs but they are most definitely heroes. While everyone else was fleeing the city, they stayed behind to fight to save the neighbourhoods even while many of them lost their own homes in the process. Working for days with little food and even less sleep in practically war zone conditions, to tame the beast and take back their city. Heroes for sure!
What those firefighters went was extraordinary. He says in the book that they don't like the "h-word" because they don't see themselves as heroes, just people doing their jobs but they are most definitely heroes. While everyone else was fleeing the city, they stayed behind to fight to save the neighbourhoods even while many of them lost their own homes in the process. Working for days with little food and even less sleep in practically war zone conditions, to tame the beast and take back their city. Heroes for sure!
June 17, 2017
This book was a real roller coaster ride! What these firefighters went through was intense! I live on the east coast and could only see what was happening via the local news and social media. Having family living in that part of Alberta, worry was an everyday occurrence until I could get news from them. For making sure they, as well as the other evacuees were kept safe, I say thank you to the firefighters and all the other emergency service personnel for working so hard. These people went to hell and back trying to tame the fire that destroyed so much. They truly are heroes.
July 13, 2020
As a resident of Fort McMurray having lived through the Horse River wildfire, I’ve started and stopped this book several times as it was too difficult to relive it. Mr. Asher provides a very vivid recount of what it was like being on the side of fighting the fire vs. the side I had as an evacuee. Each chapter broke my heart over again reading about areas taken out and having friends who lost their homes to the Beast. Thank you for giving a glimpse of what it was like for all of you that dreadful early May, and most importantly, thank you for what you all did to save our city!
May 22, 2017
Definitely these men and women are heroes. I live in Alberta and watched the city burn on TV. My son, who was working there at the time, watched it burn as he evacuated. It broke my heart to see all the devastation. The pictures in the book are only a small sample of how bad it was. It was incredible that no lives were lost in the city itself.
November 18, 2017
A well-written story from the first-person perspective about a natural disaster that captured the world's attention. We get behind the scenes stories right from those who were there of the fire in Fort McMurray. We see the thought process of those fighting the fires and how they kept going even when everyone said: "stop." How the country responded and how the community came together to survive.
December 20, 2017
An incredible look at the massive fire that ravaged a good part of Alberta’s Fort McMurray in May, 2016. Written by fire captain Damien Asher, it is a story of bravery and tenacity In the face of severe adversity, firefighters often struggling for days without food or sleep and without the proper equipment to deal with such a huge fire putting themselves in great personal danger.
September 16, 2017
As a fire wife this book is quite close to my heart. Lots of times my husband is on shify and I have no idea what he has seen or dealt with. This book paints a picture of some really tough stuff. I'm sure watching the city you call home burn, was hard.
Well written and capitavating.
Well written and capitavating.
November 20, 2020
Interesting to see the point of view of a structural fire fighter during the horse River fire. Written in language that does not over glorify fire, it is a honest portrayal of what those MM firefighters went through.
September 18, 2018
Incredible insight from an incredible warrior. A must read piece of modern Canadian history.
December 3, 2019
Very well written account of the Fort McMurray fire
February 28, 2021
I won this book from goodreads.
A touching story that puts you side by side with these heroes in action as they fight this beast of a fire.
A touching story that puts you side by side with these heroes in action as they fight this beast of a fire.
May 6, 2023
This book is not only entertaining but really makes you value the firefighters that fought against the beast.
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December 18, 2017I don’t enjoy memoirs; I think it’s too subjective and personal, but Inside the Inferno was very well-researched, and it’s an accurate depiction of real events. In the authors’ note, it says that the book is a “narrative construction” from Asher, interviews with twenty firefighters, experts, weather and government reports, news articles, and event timelines; however, “the authors have taken some creative liberties.” I think it’s these creative liberties that made this memoir feel realistic, sort of like the difference between describing the facts and telling a story. It’s this level of storytelling that made the book a fascinating read.
-Excerpt from Two Fifty Review
-Excerpt from Two Fifty Review
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews