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Stand 4 - Nicholson Adit

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Historical photo looking across Placer Creek

Historical photo looking across Placer Creek at the entrance to the Nicholson adit, sometimes referred to as the Pulaski tunnel.

Ranger Pulaski finds the Nicholson adit. He stages men along the route to help guide the crew as visibility has been greatly reduced due to heavy smoke and spot fires springing up around them. Once inside the tunnel, he orders the men to lie down; they use water to wet blankets and hang over the entrance. The fire front reaches them shortly after they are inside. Pulaski tries to keep the mine timbers from catching fire. One man attempts to flee but Pulaski retains order. As the effects of carbon monoxide and extreme heat mount, all of the men including Pulaski lose consciousness. Late in the night, one man recovers, makes his way to Wallace, and mistakenly reports that he is the only survivor.

The outcome for many of the crews ranges from all surviving to many fatalities within a group. Several towns are evacuated and burn, but some are saved by the efforts of the locals and rangers. The fires burn into Montana some 60 miles before rain the stops their progress on August 23rd.

Looking from overlook at newly renovated entrance

Photo was taken summer of 2010 looking from overlook at newly renovated entrance toward the Nicholson adit.

View of the Nicholson adit

The overlook provides a good view of the Nicholson adit as well as a good site to facilitate Stand 4. Several interpretive displays are located along a circular path at this site.

Location (SRS)
POINT (-115.9594444 47.4461111)
Related Stand
Staff Ride to the 1910 Idaho Fire

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