Sundance, Trapper Peak fires to be commemorated after 50 years

FOREST FIRES — The wicked-fast run of the Sundance and Trapper Peak fires and the loss of two firefighters will be commemorated in 50th anniversary observations starting next week at several North Idaho communities.

Boundary County, Priest Lake and Bonner County Museums are scheduling events on Aug. 23 and 26, and Sept. 2 with details available at http://bit.ly/2wK1Ieq .

In 1967, the lightning-caused Sundance Fire erupted into a firestorm six miles wide that burned for 25 miles and burned 55,910 acres east of Priest Lake.

“It was and still is considered a benchmark fire as it made a 16 mile run in 9 hours in heavy timber,” Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials say in a release.  “It is one of the hottest, fastest, and most destructive in U.S. firefighting history.  The fire and its behavior are still being studied today.”

The the fire blew up unexpectedly on Sundance Mountain and, spurred by 60 mph winds, raced over the Selkirk Crest and overtook two firefighters.  Luther Rodarte and Lee Collins lost their lives on Sept. 1, 1967 as they constructed a dozer line near Fault Lake.

Meanwhile, the Trapper Peak fire was ramping up northwest of Bonners Ferry, eventually burning 16,600 acres toward Canada before being brought under control after 31 days by  firefighters and U.S. Army troops.  “By day 23, U.S. Forest Service officials had placed 2,200 firefighters on the lines,” wrote Hal Anderson in an Forest Service research paper published in 1968. “It estimated 100 bulldozers were ploughing through the rampaging fire. The U.S. Army provided 50 planes, 22 helicopters, 52 trucks, pickups, ambulances, water trailers and kitchen units.”

The Sundance Fire was brought under control after 18 days.

Presentations commemorating the Sundance and Trapper Peak fires are set for:

• Aug. 23, starting at 7 p.m. at Priest Lake Elementary School in Priest Lake.
• Aug. 26, starting at 2 p.m. at Boundary County Museum in Bonners Ferry.

On Sept. 2, a 10 a.m. program at the Pack River Bridge will include a memorial to fallen firefighters and program on Sundance fire behavior and salvage logging.

The historical societies have started a Go Fund Me site,” said Sundance 50th spokesperson Pam Aunan.  Donations also are being accepted at Mt. West Bank and the societies are selling t-shirts to cover the costs of the interpretive sign and logistic support to bring the Collins and Rodarte family members to North Idaho, she said.

“Fire folks everywhere know or heard about that fire on Sundance in 1967.”