Trapper Peak, Sundance fires to be remembered

June 7, 2017

The Boundary County Historical Society & Museum has been working with the Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands, along with Priest Lake, Priest River and Bonner County Museums in a multi-agency project to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Trapper Peak and Sundance Fires. The Sundance Fire started with a lightning strike near the Sundance Lookout Tower near Priest Lake August 23, 1967. Two firefighters among the more than 2,000 who fought the blaze were killed in the worst northwest fire season since 1910. The Sundance burned 56,000 acres, nearly resulting in the evacuation of Bonners Ferry, the the Trapper Creek Fire, burning at the same time, laid waste to an additional 16,600 acres. Presentations on the fire are set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 23, at Priest Lake Elementary and at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 26 at the Boundary County Museum in Bonners Ferry. In addition, a memorial is being planned for Saturday, September 2, at the Pack River Bridge. The agencies involved are working to get the word out now so everyone can "save the dates" and join them in remembering that terrible summer.