Ring of Fire

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the history, tradition, and eventual collapse of the Bonfire at Texas A&M University. It explores the significance of Bonfire to the Aggie community, the student-led construction process, the structural issues that led to the 1999 tragedy, and the ongoing debate around whether the tradition should be revived.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The History and Tradition of Bonfire

1. What was the significance of Bonfire to the Texas A&M community?

• Bonfire symbolized the Aggies' burning desire to beat the University of Texas football team and the undying love that Aggies had for their school.
• It was a long-standing tradition that started as a wood-and-trash pile in 1909 and grew in scale over the decades, eventually setting a world record in 1969 at 109 feet tall.
• Bonfire was seen as an important part of the "other education" that A&M emphasized, providing students with valuable leadership and teamwork experiences outside the classroom.

2. How was Bonfire constructed by the students?

• The construction of Bonfire was left entirely to the students, with no professional oversight or engineering guidance.
• Students, known as "redpots," supervised the process, which involved cutting down thousands of trees by hand, transporting the logs, and stacking them into a towering structure.
• The construction was a physically demanding task that fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among the students.

[02] The 1999 Collapse

1. What were the key factors that contributed to the collapse of Bonfire in 1999?

• The structure had become increasingly unstable over the years, with the logs leaning at steeper and steeper angles, making it structurally unsound.
• There was no formal engineering or architectural oversight, and the construction plans were passed down orally from one generation of students to the next, leading to incremental changes that compounded the structural issues.
• The student leaders, while passionate about Bonfire, lacked the technical expertise to properly assess and address the safety concerns.

2. How did the Aggie community respond to the tragedy?

• The collapse was a devastating event that deeply impacted the A&M community, with students, faculty, and alumni grappling with the loss of 12 lives.
• There was a period of intense grief, soul-searching, and debate about the future of Bonfire, with some advocating for its return and others arguing that the tradition had become too dangerous.
• The university ultimately decided to suspend Bonfire, leading to the creation of an off-campus "Student Bonfire" tradition that continues to this day.

[03] The Ongoing Debate

1. What were the key arguments for and against the reinstatement of Bonfire?

• Proponents argued that Bonfire was a unique and unifying experience that defined the Aggie spirit and was worth preserving, even with the necessary safety precautions.
• Critics contended that the tradition had become too risky and that the university should focus on developing new traditions that aligned with its academic aspirations and image.
• There were also concerns about the student-led construction process and the need for professional oversight and engineering guidance to ensure the safety of any future Bonfire.

2. How have the views on Bonfire evolved over time?

• In the immediate aftermath, there was a strong push to bring Bonfire back, but over time, some Aggies have become more hesitant, recognizing the flaws and risks of the tradition.
• The university administration has been reluctant to reinstate Bonfire, citing the high costs and liability associated with properly overseeing the construction process.
• While the off-campus "Student Bonfire" continues, the original Bonfire tradition remains suspended, with ongoing debates about whether and how it could be safely revived.