Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association honored with award
On behalf of the citizens of Clearwater County, Emerald and Eleta Hutchins
presented a beautiful plaque, handmade by Emerald himself, to Chief Fire Warden
Howard Weeks and to all of the present and past employees of Clearwater-Potlatch
Timber Protective Association (C-PTPA).
A surprise presentation was made Tuesday morning, March 11, at the Orofino office on Hwy. 12. The Hutchins wanted to show their appreciation, and the plaque made from many beautiful types of wood from local forests, so aptly expressed just that.
“These men do more than just fight fires. They work hard all year round protecting our forests, and I just thought they should be recognized,” praised Emerald Hutchins.
Wendell Stark, Secretary of the Clearwater Valley Fraternal Organization of Eagle Aerie #3893, was on hand to speak at the presentation, Stark, also active with the county’s Search and Rescue Team and an emergency medical technician, has known and worked with many of C-PTPA’s crew while fighting fires. Stark shared with the group a little history behind C-PTPA.
First organized in 1905
The first fire suppression organization in Idaho was organized in 1905, under
the management of Theodore Fohl, who took the helm of being the first Chief Fire
Warden. Initiated just over a century, this fledgling unit has grown to what it
is today.
Originally it was formed as the “Clearwater Timber Protective Association.” In 1906, another fire fighting organization was formed known as the “Potlatch Timber Protective Association.” These two units were encompassing much of the same area - so, in 1965, the two organizations joined and formed what we have today – Clearwater Potlach Timber Protective Association.
Since its humble beginning, it has been managed by the following Chief Fire Wardens, Theodore Fohl 1905-1928, A. B. (Bert) Curtis 1928-1968, M. O. (Mick) Koppang 1968-1990, Dick Bovey 1990-1996, Jerry Driver 1996-2000, and Howard Weeks taking the helm in 2000.
The outlaying camps were managed by individuals such as Vern Gardner, Walter (Dee) Steadman and Gene Applington at the Headquarters, and different individuals over the years in Elk River and Bowls Cabin. One individual of note who worked for this organization was James Arness, who played Matt Dillon on the TV series “Gunsmoke.”
There are a great many more individuals that should be named that played an integral part in the operations of this organization, such as Rusty Eck who started in Elk River and then came down to the office in Orofino. Some of these individuals were not only firefighters but also were instrumental in forming the Clearwater Search and Rescue that was stationed in Headquarters for 25 years, and volunteered their time as well as personal equipment in looking for lost hunters and berry pickers.
“With the speed and integrity that has been shown over all these years in suppressing fires,” closed Stark, “…you should take a great deal of pride as being the finest fire suppression organization in the State of Idaho.”
Pictured top: Pictured (l to r) are: back row Chris Bartlett, Tyson Cobbs, Kane Steinbruecker, Dollon Schneider, Alex Irby, Scott Bonnalie, Jerry Driver, Greg Danley, Robert McKnight, Don Konkol, Johnny Stewart, Terry White, Mike Victorine, and Robin Welter; center, Farrah Zumhoff, Carolyn Manfull, Rusty Eck and Bob Carlock, standing slightly behind him; front row, artist Emerald Hutchins, Kevin Korbel, Fire Program Planner and Howard Weeks, C-PTPA Fire Chief Warden.
Pictured bottom: Artist Emerald Hutchins holding the plaque he made to recognize past and present members of C-PTPA, in appreciation, and on behalf of the citizens of Clearwater County.