Near Wallace in Shoshone County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

The Great Fire of 1910

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2013

1. The Great Fire of 1910 Marker

Inscription. In August 1910, this area was ravaged by one of a series of huge forest fires which swept the inland empire at that time. Small fires had been burning for days in timber parched by a record drought. Despite the efforts of hundreds of fire fighters to control the firs, gale force winds fanned small fires into big ones. An estimated three million acres were devastated by the 1910 fires.

While fighting the huge fires, Forest Ranger Edward C. Pulaski and his crew of 45 men were trapped by the flames. He led his crew into an abandoned mine tunnel and held them there until the fire passed. Six men died, but Pulaski’s prompt action saved the other members of the crew.

The tunnel in which Pulaski and his men took refuge is about 2 miles upstream on the west fork of Placer Creek.

Erected by Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Idaho Panhandle National Forest.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1910.

Location. 47° 27.569′ N, 115° 56.09′ W. Marker is near Wallace, Idaho, in Shoshone County. Marker can be reached from Placer Creek Road (Forest Road 456), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located at the Pulaski Historic Site, Idaho Panhandle National

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Forest, about a mile south of Wallace on Placer Creek Road/NF-456. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wallace ID 83873, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Pulaski Tunnel Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Pulaski's Trail (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); "Big Ed" Pulaski (about 600 feet away); Historic Wallace South Hill Stairs (approx. 0.9 miles away); Rossi Insurance Building (approx. one mile away); Wallace World War Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Wallace (approx. 1.2 miles away); "The Big Blowup" (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wallace.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Big Burn - Big Blowup.
The men who heroically fought the wildfire ripping through 3 million acres of Idaho and Montana, late in August 1910, were up against a formidable enemy. "The forests staggered, rocked, exploded and then shriveled under the holocaust," wrote local historian Betty Goodwin Spencer. "Great red balls of fire rolled up the mountainsides. Crown fires, from 1 to 10 miles wide, streaked with yellow and purple and scarlet, raced through treetops 150 feet from the ground." The speed of the inferno was both breathtaking and deadly. "You can't outrun wind and fire that are traveling 70 miles an hour," Spencer wrote. "You can't

The Great Fire of 1910 Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2013

2. The Great Fire of 1910 Marker (wide view)

hide when you are entirely surrounded by red-hot color. You can't see when it's pitch black in the afternoon." (Submitted on November 12, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Pulaski National Historic Site Sign (<i>near marker - turn here for access</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2013

3. Pulaski National Historic Site Sign (near marker - turn here for access)

Wildfire Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 27, 2013

4. Wildfire Monument

Wildfire
To the immortality of the human spirit this memorial is dedicated to all the brave souls who fight the wildfire that the memory of their efforts will never be lost
August 10, 1984
U.S. Forest Service
National Historic Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 453 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.