Wildfires and Politics in the 1920s and 70s | Spokane News

In 1926, the Kanisku National Forest was engulfed in catastrophic wildfires so intense they were deemed “beyond all human control,” prompting the emergency deployment of three busloads of firefighters and even drafting tourists into duty—while smoke obscured the true scale of the blaze. Meanwhile, agricultural ambitions were afoot as Nebraska’s Farmers’ Union president prepared to broker a deal for Spokane orchards to supply hundreds of stores. Fast forward to 1976: Spokane’s own U.S. Rep. Tom Foley, though passed over as Carter’s VP pick, was entrusted with leading the agricultural committee—a role that fit perfectly given his existing leadership and Democratic standing. 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/3ea9664fa47ba392