The Big Burn That Changed Firefighting | Boise News

In 1910, a catastrophic wildfire known as the “Big Burn” tore through northern Idaho and western Montana, fueled by relentless drought, hurricane-force winds, and months of dry conditions. Over nearly 100 firefighters perished—including Ranger Ed Pulaski, who famously survived by sheltering his crew in a mining tunnel—while three million acres burned and entire towns like Wallace were erased. The disaster reshaped firefighting forever: it led to the Weeks Act, which established federal forest protection partnerships, and birthed the iconic Pulaski tool—a hybrid axe and hoe still used today. A century later, memorials, trails, and museums honor those lost and remind us how this historic blaze continues to shape modern wildfire response amid today’s escalating fire seasons. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/32c4e0982b5fc2dc