The Fire of 1910

The Great Fire of 1910 referred to as the Big Burn was a wildfire that burned about 3 million acres, approximately the size of Connecticut and killed 87 people-of which 78 were firefighters.  It was the largest forest fire, although not the deadliest fire in American history.  Maybe even the largest forest fire ever.  No one knows for sure, but even now, it is hard to put into words what it did.  For two terrifying days and nights-August 20 and 21, 1910-the fire raged across those three million acres of virgin timberland in northern Idaho, northeast Washington and western Montana.  Many thought the world would end, and for 86, it did.

No single event in American history did more to shape the United States Forest Service than did the 1910 fire, and no two men ever cast longer shadows over the Forest Service than did Gifford Pinchot and W.B. Greely, the agency's first and third chief foresters.  Beyond all doubt, the way the Forest Service views forest fires today-indeed the way the public views forest fires-is rooted in their handling of events that occured during and immediately following the 1910 fire. 

It is amazing how a person can grow up in an area and not truly understand or better yet, take the time to learn about the incredible history that surrounds them.  I have lived in the Western Washington and Idaho area for my entire life and yet had not really thought much about the Fire of 1910 which has been written about in numerous books such as WHEN THE MOUNTAINS ROARED, THE WEST IS BURNING UP, THE BIG BURN: TEDDY ROOSEVEL AND THE FIRE THAT SAVED AMERICA or PULASKI'S CREW, words on pages that brings this time in history to life.

However, differant things in my life have changed my way of thinking, and has also given me a huge appreciation for our forest service and our local history.  Last summer, August 2010 was the 100 year anniversary of this famous fire and the towns of St. Maries and Wallace really did a fantastic job of educating the people about this momentous time in our area's history.  Everything from the authors of books to the parades and dignitaries visiting the area for this great celebration brought tears to my eyes with respect to all the courageous people who saved lives and changed the future of our forest service.

My pride as a mother was even greater as I have a son who has been fighting fires for the past 10 years and his role in this celebration and more importantly his role in the many fires across the United States cannot be explained easily.  As a husband and father of two, he is such a fine example of the bravery, loyalty and sacrifice he is willing to exhibit time after time as he travels throughout our nation to do whatever needs to be done to save lives and timberland.  Take the time to thank those brave men and women who put their lives on the line daily just doing their job....how many of us would really sign up for that kind of job?  It takes a very special person and one whos thought process it to "run to danger rather that from danger" when they know their service is needed.

I would like to also invite anyone who wishes to appreciate natural beauty while also learning about this famous fire and actually having the chance to ride bikes through the very train tunnels that were instumental in saving the lives of more  than 600 people as this fire raged through the area.  You can do this by taking advantage of biking the fantastic Route of the Hiawatha and stop to read the fascinating history and the numerous stories of very heroic actions by railroad employees who drove engines and boxcars filled with people through the flames to the safety of the longer tunnels. 

The St. Joe Riverfront B & B is just a scenic 1 1/2 hour drive to the LookOut Pass where this adventure takes place.  The beauty of the drive itself will be a highlight but the bike trail following the rail system (all downhill) will be guaranteed to give you a new appreciation of the fascinating history of the area.  We will even pack a picnic lunch for those who wish to make a day of it.

For more information on the history of 1910 Fire go to: http://www.idahoforests.org/fires.htm
For more information on the Route of the Hiawatha go to:
http://www.skilookout.com/hiawatha/
For more information on accommodations at our B&B go to:
http://www.stjoeriverbb.com/