On September 28 at about 2:00 p.m. the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office was advised there was a controlled burn at the top of Kettenbauch Grade that had gotten out of control.
The fire was said to be headed for the timber that was in the area. After arriving on the scene deputies learned there had been an ATV accident involving 88-year-old Ralph Steigers of Culdesac.
Steigers was found deceased at the fire scene.
Idaho Department of Lands, Nez Perce County Fire, Culdesac Fire, Lewiston Paramedics, Culdesac QRU, and the Nez Perce Tribal Police responded to the scene to assist with fire suppression and the crash.