Fire burns Panhandle warming hut; tips sought
PUBLIC LANDS -- Forest Service law enforcement officers are investigating the destruction of the Skitwish Warming Hut, which was discovered this morning to have been destroyed by fire sometime during the past 48 hours.
The warming hut is located approximately 14 miles east of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on National Forest System Lands in Skitwish Saddle and is popular among snowmobile enthusiasts in the Coeur d’Alene Mountains.
The hut is valued at approximately $30,000 and is maintained by the CDA Snowmobile Club.
The hut’s destruction was reported by a local citizen recreating in the area who reported it to the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of the fire is unknown but foul play is suspected.
Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to contact Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Dan Schneider at (208) 664-2318.
