It’s dawn on September 17, 2012, and the sun is barely penetrating the wildfire smoke-filled air at Lombard, Montana. Amid the ethereal light, swirling fog still rises from the placid surface of the Missouri River, and sunshine won’t reach this kink in the river anytime soon. A low rumble can be heard to the east, carried through the still morning air. Soon enough, a westbound BNSF freight shatters the quiet as it curves over Sixteen Mile Creek.
