New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-29
N CANADA.
VILLAGES IN DANGER-DESPERATE EFFORTS TO
SUPPRESS TIE FLAMES.

VILLAGES IN DANGER-DESPERATE EFFORTS TO
SUPPRESS TIE FLAMES.
OTTAWA, May 2j.-The fires started by set
,ler clearing land in this district about ten days ago
arc rapidly developing themselves, and threaten larger
sud broader destruction than those Of last year They
are favored by the absence OF rau the high winds the
r, ness Of tie trees aud the accumulated leaves OF cen
turies ard they rush with terrible speed on scattered
Villages and detached farm-houses. From all We can
gather the fires are not confined TO any particular town
.lips Between Aylmer village and the Gatneau they
seem 20 be the worst and have heard Of them in tie
back elements OF The County OF Ottawa. In the neigh
borhOod Of Ashton there is considerable extent OF field
ana bush firs, and dense smoke envelopes that city
East and west along the course OF the Ottawa River
and north and south the flames Kissing aud rushing
with fearful energy, the Qo small town more than
% miles above the City OF ottawa, 10 the west the par
Eonaee OF Nj Moore the tenant, has been destroyed
with several other dwellings, Business l. entirely sus-
pendad iu that district, and all the inhabitants are
busIy engaged, day and night battling with the flames,
some drawing water from the river near by, and others
ihrowinc upon the dry and burning eartr some heat
Ing Tie free with branches Of trees, and endcav0ng 10
stamp 10 with their feet but often as TINS rs done,
gains Roadway. The strong wind carries the sparks
and huge guted branches considerable distances and
Spdlee innuInerabe fires in all directions. IL II
Iaiu o ayd cbildren strnelin0 10 save tDejr bnrn-
nc BONES and, when that il found 10 be impossible.
sanding their utmost efforts the fire
gains upon them, for II Is not only the brshwood and
Inc forest trees that burn, the very sod Is instinct with
IRE and the fences generally made OF CEDAR carry de
,ir1con everywhero. The suffering is intense ia the
pcrhhOrhOOd Of the QuiO at the Charts Pembroke
st the village OF Sand Point aud AT many other small
lawns and villages along the Ottawa RIVER; and already
tbc abstraction Of property Is immense Many OF the
village ae quite close 10 the woods 80 close that thou
sand OF sparks and pieces Of burning WOOD from one
10 three or four feet in length are carried b INC wind
snd deuositcd the wooden roofs or beside the out
bindings and barns, which are universally constructed
OF wood and 10 is utterly impossible Tor the people to
watch an parts Of their premises.
Almost within view of this city, on the northern sue OF
the Ottawa River The woods along the Dase ana slCes OF
the IalIeutian Hills fire, from the village OF
Chelsea westward. In the daytime the thck SMOKE
hides tie flames and the city as WIN thlch cur
tain but at night the fires can be distinctly seen ~
will almost a miracle IL Ola chelsea escapes inns 'ilO
unharued. The free around 1t, and bearing 19Mh
upOn 30. Now Chelsea is also ia danger: AT lh5 It,'e
piace there is an extensive sawmN, giving employment
frame houses, which dry as seasoned lumber ana
could be icnited 10y a spark. , $500,
AT Ironsides at the Sault at Portland, ana seYera
other settlements and villages along tue course Oh Io
Gatinoau; at the copper mines III IenpletOh AT DuCh
ugham al various settlements on the blanche hnd aux
JjeVres aud the south Green's Creek, ana on Ie
Petite Nation, the fires raging and the villages are
rare 10 suffer- Trustworthy Information OF the extent
Of dana done all these places has not yet been re-
eeiVcd; but u Is known that they are IN danger ana
that people making every eAertOn 10 COMBAT the
Tue this year are not now following the
same course they did last year, as much OF the sOuhd
then thoroughly cleared OF lnhammable material
N 10 supply 10 fuel now.