New-York tribune., 1870-08-25
THE GREAT FOREST FIRE IN CANADA.

GRAPHIC DETAILS OF THE AIIENDANl cOENiTo-
THE CITY OF OTTAWA IN IMMINENT PERIL.
OTTAWA, Aug. 90 After eight days and
nights of suocation and heat and smoke fear, loss of
life and property to-day the seen through the
dense atmosphere Of smoke and flying cnders until burst
out in all its glory more TO gladden. the hearts Oh
this city, Thank God! the sti1ng burn
ing powder that has ch0ked us, socated blinded our
eyes, and rendered life miserable, has passed away ana
we have again the fresh Canadian air. pure, sweet and
exhilarang 1t is difficult for to realize the change
Yesterday the rebes rang out from all Sides at inter-
vals nearly all day; the citizens turned out, some 10
help check the fasapproachng flames, others to save
their property against what was feared inevitable de-
strucon; the buges sounded, and the Volunteer Res
and Artillery and the British Goth Rifles mustered and
marched away hastily The City Square was fairly filled
with reengines hook andladder wagons spare horseS
water-carts, and amateur aud professional hrenen a
the stores were closed business entirely suspended
except at the banks where almost the only work done
Ottawa was fairly frightened out Of its wits To-day we
the outskirts OF the nearest bush WIN tne uense
volumes of smoke lowering over IL III an directions
The capital has been fairy henhed IN Dy nre sinse
Wednesday night and communication with sucn oi te
surrounding settlements are not burned down Is not
only exceedingly dangerous but almost inposslole Oh
wednesday afternoon the atmosphere which had for up
ward OF week before been almost sufocatngy hot and
dense, became infinitely worse, ana much physca
napts of he ey Toward dusk the wind fresened and
The air was filled with of wood and burning leaves
ike snoWakes in winter At ~ the wind Increased
gale and then terrible storm ensued which lasted All
night During thh gale the slumberng fires In all the
district sprang into activity, and before daylight the
city NAV well be said to have been surrounded with
belt OF fire. This fact became known on Thursday
morning. when the first terrible results OF the
devastating storm were seen in the city IN
crowdng in from all sides This the first ntimaton
the had aa m e $ es aa caused o ba any @ Ss
ments had to harm. By-and by, groups began to
Spread from house to house that the fire was advancing
at the rate Of two miles the hour from every point the
significance of which may be understood when say
that the bush comes right into Ottawa from the south
and west Sides while the river which borders the north
and east is protection in consequence OF not less than
900 dried and lumber being stored all along
the opposite Shore the sparks from which would with
built entirely of wood shantes and frame houses and
thus insure the destruction of the capital Most of those
who arrived on Tlursday morning were bady purhed
So far could be learned there was not single settle
village within the range Of the fire that had not
been either totally DESTROYED or so badly hurt that the
people had been rendered homeless. Further arrivals
Of action to be virtue dubbed together and sent out
several team loads OF provisions TO the villages In the
During the evening the smoke and heat continued II
possible to increase and citizens began to be seriously
places lower down the river and many of the prnc
pal families were preparing to leave on Friday morn
ing there were more arrivals and II was discovered hat
the fires, which had heretofore been in large patches,
forming an incomplete circle, were now advancing on the
city from all sides.
As fast as these young fires were apparently put out
they would reappear again, few yards further on,
gan To bc Rat would be to
check the advance unless the wind changed direction
Rideau River, just at the back of Ashburnham, was
broken downthe most desperate and the last resource
for ii involved the sweeping away OF two permanent
roads, bridges culyers and temporary roads, and the
swamPng S all tine Guat thlr on the mats many Riope
no time TO notify them. Nothing but this disastrous
remedy could @ T save the ety. for the Wind a. had increased
where made start running faster than the gallop
or an ordinary horse and many ablebodied men, work
ing with the advance parties within half mile of the
fire. had been compelled to crawl away nan suoeated
with the horrible smoke, blinded with the cinders,
p6f
to places Of comparative safety, and yey few bur
entirely exhausted,
try TO depth Of three or four feet Toward daylight
Saturday, the flames began TO die away from the sight
during the dark hours Of night once more asserted its
power, and all around smoke and heat, and cnders
Journey SHORTY a hf s hifsE Mofe ge
was almost white with ashes During the night little
stayed the progress Of the northeastern fires ard threw
back the smoke SO that to-day we are free from smoe
bale pure air Many heartfelt prayer Of Thanksgiving
hss been srsa p % On 1e issIt a q ne
for II the wind around again from the north or tho
awful pile Of timber at Hall II once that were to take
hre with moderate northwest wind, no human power
From personal observation and inquiry the devas
tated districts am enabled to present reliable picture
line Of fire has advanced II has come without warning.
AT the village OF Belss Corners, west Chelsea east and
Ironsdes north the first three villages destroyed the
outer circle OF the eona aTaton the flames came into
the settlements almost without warning People had
barely escape by and windows before their
late homes were part fiery furnace that al.
yaneing quickly. The villages being partially cleared
the immediate advance OF the hanes arrested suf
centy long enable the dying inhabitants 70 take by
the open roads % the creeks and river near Here they
stood up the neck all night the cattle following them,
except few that found shelter In pits and cellars
have just had message from Carratraca and Gale
donia springs three hours journey by steam southas
tlat the fires which have been snOdering there have
burst into cona grafton, and adyices are coming
IN from Gloucester township OF DISASTERS almost "a
numerous and revolving we have had nearer here The
ears from Prescott have had TO run through volumes OF
smoke aud sheets OF flame, and the ralc on the river
has almost wholly ceased, II being impossible 10 discern
the passage III consequence ~ lle don smoke lYlng
cvris nAeie aud tho falling dust