Tribute marks fire's 50th anniversary
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 8 years, 3 months AGO
(Photo courtesy BOUNDARY COUNTY MUSEUM)The Sundance Fire burned nearly 56,000 acres in August and September of 1967. The lightning caused fire ignited near the Sundance Mountain Lookout tower overlooking Priest Lake.
(Photo courtesy BOUNDARY COUNTY MUSEUM)Crews mop up the 1967 Sundance Fire.
The public is invited to attend an observance in Pack River on Saturday, Sept. 2, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Sundance Fire.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a US Forest Service bridge 13 miles from Highway 95 on the Upper Pack River Road. Sponsors include the Sandpoint Ranger District — US Forest Service, the Idaho Department of Lands, the Society of American Foresters and local museums in Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry and Priest Lake.
The Sundance Fire burned nearly 56,000 acres in August and September of 1967. The lightning caused fire ignited near the Sundance Mountain Lookout tower overlooking Priest Lake. Strong winds on Sept. 1 created a firestorm that blew the fire across the Selkirk Divide and into the Pack River drainage. In a matter of eight hours the fire consumed a swath of timber eight miles wide and 16 miles in length.
Two firefighters were killed near Fault Lake while seeking to escape the fast-moving fire. A young man on the Roman Nose Lookout narrowly escaped death as he sought refuge in a snow bank just below the tower. Over 2,000 firefighters spent nearly a month suppressing the fire.
Fire rehabilitation efforts to reduce soil erosion commenced before the fire was out while reforestation projects continued for over a decade. The effects of the fire are still visible half a century later.
The commemorative event on Sept. 2, will include presentations on the weather conditions and fire behavior leading to the blow-up. Fire rehabilitation and reforestation efforts will be viewed during a short walking tour.
Participants must provide their own transportation to the event site on the Upper Pack River Road. They should bring food, beverages and lawn chairs. A short walk on roads will cover about one-half mile.
T-shirts can be purchased through Idaho Department of Lands in Bonners Ferry and the proceeds will help with the cost of a new marker which will be placed on site where the men perished, and a new interpretive sign at the trailhead a short distance from the Pack River Bridge.
There is also a Go Fund Me page established for anyone wishing to help with expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/sundancefire-50th-commemoration
For additional information contact the Sandpoint Ranger District, 208-263-5111; Idaho Department of Lands, 208-263-5104; or Bill Love, Society of American Foresters, 208-263-6277.