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-- Photo courtesy A fire decimated Little Snowy Top lookout tower in the Priest Lake Ranger District last week. According to Shoshana Cooper of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, the fire was contained to the structure itself.
PRIEST LAKE — The historic Little Snowy Top Lookout Tower on the Priest Lake Ranger District was destroyed by fire late afternoon Sept. 3. A member of the public reported the fire to the Northeast Washington Interagency Communications Center. The Coeur d’Alene Interagency Dispatch Center immediately dispatched firefighters to the tower by helicopter. Unfortunately, the structure was completely engulfed in flames and could not be saved. The fire did not escape the immediate area and was completely contained.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Law enforcement officials from the Idaho Panhandle National Forests are leading the investigation with assistance from law enforcement officials on the Colville National Forest, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Details will be relayed as they become available on the cause of the blaze.
The Idaho Pan- handle National Forests will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. For questions on the Little Snowy Top Lookout Tower, please contact Shoshana Cooper, Idaho Panhandle National Forests Public Affairs Officer, at 208-446-4520.