Evidence of forest fires in the Priest Lake region dates back hundreds of years. Many of us have heard or read about the 1910 and 1926 fires, remember the 1967 Sundance fire, and, more hotter and drier, the fires appear to grow larger and last longer. Residents and visitors alike have faced unhealthy smoky skies and witnessed firefighting aircraft scooping water from the lake. The museum’s new exhibit explores the changing how and whys of forest fires and their management at Priest Lake over time.
In the museum’s new exhibit, photographs, maps, objects, and personal accounts illustrate the Priest Lake area’s landscape before settlers arrived, as well as how the landscape has changed over time due to forest fires and their management. The exhibit examines major fires in the region, including the 55,000-acre Sundance fire. It features a model of the Sundance lookout cabin, complete with a fire finder and radio, offering a view of Priest Lake. It compares how a wildland firefighter dressed in the 1930s with the gear and garments of a modern wildland firefighter. Visitors can observe how smoke jumpers suit up and try to lift a heavy smoke chaser’s fire pack. And, of course, Smokey Bear provides fun interactions for kids!
The exhibit highlights how fire detection methods, firefighting equipment, firefighting strategies, and the management of forest fires have evolved over the years as fire managers gain insights into fire behavior and the benefits of fire for a healthy forest. It focuses on how the work at Priest Lake has contributed nationally, including the fire behavior research that originated with Harry Gisborne, the first full-time wildfire researcher, at the Priest River Experimental Forest south of Coolin. Tom Weitz and retired USFS fire manager Matt Butler curated the exhibit.
