Museum opens fire display

A hundred years ago, on August 20 and 21, one of the largest forest fires burned across three million acres, taking the lives of 86 individuals. Dry conditions and high winds helped to accelerate the fire, which has become known widely as The Big Burn or Big Blowup, which burned through northern Idaho and western Montana, including Mineral County.

Kay Strombo, director of the Mineral County Museum in Superior, said that the museum has worked at putting a display together commemorating the fire. She said the fire should be remembered because it played a large role in how it affected Mineral County.

"Mineral County did have an awful lot of acres involved," Strombo said. "With the destruction of the towns, it is just really important that we emphasize how the fire affected us locally."

Deborgia burned. Taft burned. Henderson burned. Saltese was saved through the efforts of some 100-200 firefighters.

"There was an enormous amount of damage that was done," Strombo said.

The display features the cover of the Missoulian during the time of the fire and photographs including a one of the few photos that actually shows the fire burning. Strombo said that most people were fleeing for their lives and without an automatic camera didn't have the time to stop and snap a few photos.

The display also features information on Edward Pulaski. Pulaski is one of the well-known heroes of the 1910 fires. He first began working for the Forest Service in 1908 as a Forest Ranger on the Coeur d'Alene National Forest. During the tragic fires of 1910, Pulaski and his crew became trapped by the ever-growing forest fires. Pulaski directed his men to a mine tunnel where they took refuge until the fires passed. Forty-five of his men survived the ordeal thanks to Pulaski's knowledge of the area and to his ability to remain calm during the crisis.

A year or two later, Pulaski developed the Pulaski, a combination ax and grubbing hoe tool. This tool is part of the museum's display.

The display also features items relevant to the time as well as maps showing where the fires burned in 1910. It also features an article on William McKay, who was the only individual that died in the fire inside the present Mineral County lines.

Strombo also has a log displayed with the photographs that her husband found at the Montana/ Idaho state line. She said that it is a log that was actually in the fire.

The museum has also printed brocures that highlight different areas in the county where the fire burned. Strombo said individuals are welcome to pick these up from the museum and said they will also be available at other locations.

Strombo said that they were also hoping to add some accounts of the fire. She said if anyone has any stories from relatives who were in the area and have an account to tell they would love to hear it. She also said that if anyone has anyone photos or items that they may copy or display, the museum would greatly appreciate it. She said that if anyone has questions they are more than happy to share what they know.

"It's important that we honor the people who were involved," Strombo said. "The fire burned over three million acres and that's bigger than some states in the east coast."

The museum is open on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.