Pete King Fire Hit by Tree Fatalities 1934

Lester Johnson, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) crewmember, was killed by a falling tree on the Pete King Fire in the Lochsa River Canyon. The Pete King Fire was started by lightning early on the morning of August 11 in a storm that started numerous other fires in the area. At first discovery, the fire was 2 acres burning in timber near the confluence of Jungle and Pete King Creeks. The fire was already burning actively and reinforcements were ordered to begin work. On the 13th, two CCC crewmembers were reported killed by falling trees, Lester Johnson and LeRoy McGinnes. Few details are available about this accident or accidents. In the subsequent days the Pete King Fire made significant runs and the Forest Service Station at Pete King was defended by 100 men with water pumps, implementing a defensive firing operation. The final area of the Pete King Fire is listed at 60,000 acres, or a combined 250,000 acres in the combined Pete King - McLendon Butte Fires.