COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho – A fire broke out early afternoon on September 2 in the back room of Wolf Lodge Inn. The fire quickly spread, turning into a three-alarm fire with multiple engines and ambulances responding. North Idaho News reported that the Idaho Department of Lands requested the additional units to keep the fire from spreading to the grass and trees that surround the structure.
By 1:19 p.m., there were reports that the entire structure was engulfed in flames.
Sheriff Bob Norris is expected to be on-site to access the situation and update the community on the efforts to control the fire and any incident injuries. At this time, the cause of the fire in unknown.
In a 23-second video message, posted to North Idaho News Facebook page at around 2 p.m., Norris reminded the community not to stop on I-90 to take photos or videos of the fire at Wolf Lodge. “Appears this is going to be a 100% total loss,” stated Norris. “We are asking people to stay away from the area. Under no circumstances [should you] stop on the interstate, do not get out of your vehicles, do not slow down unless necessary.”
Wolf Lodge Inn was a popular steakhouse, having started operations around 1970 serving heaping portions of steak cooked over wood fire grills with delicious sides and an impressive selection of local brews, wine, and liquor. The historic building started as a convenience store, established in 1939.
This is a developing story.
Post-fire update – Press Release Kootenai County Fire and Rescue
At 1208 hours on 09/02/2024 Kootenai County Fire and Rescue crews were notified of a possible attic fire at the Wolf Lodge Restaurant east of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. According to the 911 caller, a worker saw the fire start and began trying to extinguish the fire from the roof prior to fire department arrival. The first fire engine arrived at 1215 hours and reported a working fire from the rear and roof of the building. Command was established and a second alarm was struck as well as a request for additional water tenders as there are no fire hydrants in that area.
Initially, an offensive fire attack was started. The fire conditions changed rapidly and interior crews were backed out and began defensive fire operations. Additionally, the Idaho Department of Lands was requested because embers from the fire ignited a nearby wildland fire. A third and fourth structural alarm was also called. In all, eleven (11) fire agencies responded to the fire with ten (10) engines, two (2) ladder trucks, eleven (11) tenders, three (3) brush trucks, four (4) ambulances, and eight (8) chief officers totaling over 80 firefighters. Furthermore, our law enforcement partners from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police assisted with traffic control and access to the scene. The fire was determined to be under control at 1455 hours, although fire crews will remain on scene for several hours performing overhaul and ensuring scene safety.
One civilian was transported by ambulance for burn injuries received before fire department arrival and is expected to be treated and released. Three firefighters received and were evaluated for minor injuries during the incident, none of them required ambulance transport.
The fire is believed to be accidental in nature but given the damage to the building and the heat still present, the investigation of cause and origin will not begin until tomorrow morning. The investigation will be led by the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office with assistance from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. Further information regarding the investigation will be released by the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office at their discretion. No dollar loss estimate is yet available and will also be released by the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue would like to thank the following agencies for their help in both this incident and others who provided Fire and EMS coverage today:
- Coeur d’Alene Fire Department
- Northern Lakes Fire District
- East Side Fire District
- Timberlake Fire District
- Mica Kidd Island Fire District
- Worley Fire District
- Hauser Lake Fire District
- Spirit Lake Fire District
- Shoshone Fire District 2
- Shoshone Fire District 3
- Spokane Valley Fire Department
- Idaho Department of Lands
- Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office
- Idaho State Police
- Idaho Transportation Department
KCFR Unit Responding to the Incident were: E11, E12, E14, E15, L13, M11, M13, T13, T14, BC1, M1, CF101, CF106, CF107, CF108
Additionally, several off-duty KCFR firefighter came in to staff spare apparatus.
