The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-26
BURNING FORESTS.

Extensive Cennagrati0ns On Long
lslsnd-Great Destruction OF Property.
The general apprehension. growing out OF the
experience OF former years. that the iong-continued
disaster the east end Of Long Island would finally
result In extensive and disastrous CONGREGATIONS
In the great wooded tracts OF that region prove to
have been well founded. The farmers generally,
with the wisdom gained from costly experience,
have been very watchful Of late, and in several
localities patrols have been organised to guard
against possible CONGREGATIONS. which might occur
through either accident or careiessness Along
the region between Farminzdale and Riverhead,
on the Long Island Railroad, and extending south
to the localities traversed by the South Side Rail-
road from Babylon to PatchOgue, 10 an extensive
tract OF pine land, commonly known as
the "wild District" and belonging originally
to q grant known as the old Cornell Patent
This region has been frequently devastated BY
res the peculiarites Of the soil and grewth Offer
ing special facilities for the spread OF ames once
fairly started, the dead pine cones and leaves,
lying sometimes several inches thick upon the
surface OF the ground and impregnated with tur-
pentine, anording them constant and rapidly con-
Stunning fuel.
All precautions, however, have proved unavail-
ing and the region described is now being visited
by dres almost equal In extent and uestructiveness
to those OF former years, and the whole available
force Of the Inhabitants Is brought into requsiton
to subdue the names. II possible. or at oil events to
save farm houses and other buildings from destruc-
ton.
During the week several small fires have occurred
along the line OF the South side railroad, but they
have been extingulshed without much difficulty
with but little damage. Similar fires have also &C.
Cured on the Long Island road, with no damage
OF consequence. On Thursday morning. however,
the names got Roadway near the Long island road.
at Lakeland. about iorty-eight miles IRON New
York. and 1t was found impossible to overcome
them. They spread with great rapidity SO Inward,
under the influence OF brisk northeriy wind and
finally, burning over tract about mile WIDE,
vicinity Of Patchogne. IN me Sontn side
Railroad. burning several dwellings in their
vile, near Patchoque, was literally swept out oil
existence, every building In It ueing DESTROYED,
DANGER er o. Tn total small DWELLING
on the outskirts OF the village was burned and
the occupants Of several others hurrlca,y packed
being driven out by the flames. Fortunately,
however, through the united eXertions oil all the
Inhabitants OF the neighborhood, vino turned out
with plOu rhs and other available appliances. Inc
progress of the fire was stayed and tine danger was
IL is Impossible yet to estimate the extent OF the
losses consequent upon this fire. Douotcss mach
cut wood was destroyed, and the damage to the
must be very considerable. The value OF the
standing timber destroyed cannot be very large,
as IL was prlncipaily SCRUB pine. Inc DuloingS
burned were generally small and lO"-priced, and
the amount OF insurance upon them could not be
ascertained Some time must elapso before the
actual amount OF loss can be ascertuned.
Serious fires also broke out IN the wild Dis
trict," between Yaphank and NJ, ma, on the Long
Island Railroad on Thursda' and at last a. counts
was Still raging. They were extending on each
side OF the road with great rapldlty, and had
land, estimated at considerably over two miles
square. The quantity OF cord wood stroyed was
seriously endangered North Of Lakeland tie fire
was spreading rapidly toward Lake RonHonkoma,
and there appeared TO be little hope oil Its being
subdued There are number OF me country
dwellings in this direction, and 1t was feared tat
some OF them must necessarily be destroyed.
Throughout that part OF the n Ill District" threat
ened by the flames were quite number OF resi-
dences Of poor people which have doubtless been
SWeDt away.