The Portland daily press., 1883-08-25
THE MT. DESERT FIRES.
The Magnitude of the Confagration
Narrow Escape of Party Fighting
the Fire.

SOUTHWEST HARBoR, Aug. 24.-There are
four forest fires now burning on Mount Desert
Island, one of which hes reached such proper
lions that the inhabitants of the island lying
west and south Of Somes sound have become
greatly alarmed. At this writing, 100 men are
bghting its progress at'every available point,
but 1t is constantly increasing and advancing,
and is within three miles of the village of
Southwest Harbor. 1t Is also spreading
around the northern end of Long pond to-
wards the village OF Somesvile. This parti-
cular fire is the general subject of conversa-
tion In every hotel and hamlet on the southern
feared. Many excursions are made to Beech
Mountain, overlooking the fire from South
west Harbor and neighboring points, and even
from Bar Harbor. Almost the whole eastern
half of the island is clouded In smoke, which
penetrates the streets Of Bar Harbor and
floats far out at sea. 1t is the most extensive
lire on the island for many years, and, con-
sdered in connection with the three fires at
other points, is giving Just cause for alarm. 1t
started Thursday, the 10Th instant, near the
Notch, on the western shore of Long pond.
Owing TO the absence OF rain for many days,
the woods were in prime condition for feeding
the flames, and they rapidly made headway,
The western shore of Long pond, for dis
tance of mile and half. has been burned
here. Towards Southwest Harbor the fire
presents line Of battle Of about one-half
mile. The extreme western line of the fire is
approaching Pretty Marsh harbor and moving
in a southern direction towards Seal cove and
Bold mountain. In q northern direction the
tire has almost reached the Somesville road
Long pond will probably prove barrier to the
hre's progress in an easteriy direction, unless
it works around the lower end OF the pond.
This result is highly probable, for it is already
scaling the heights of the eastern peak of the
Western mountains, and in some spots has ap-
peared above the crest and descended short
way into the valley towards Southwest Har-
Dor, and the efforts OF the men fighting it
seem TO be futile. 1t is estimated that nearly
1000 acres Of pine woodland has already been
destroyed. The soil of the island Is thin in the
best places, and it is thought, because Of the
underground, roots, etc., that, in the wake of
the fire, the very land has been destroyed
down to the bare rock. The principal owners
of the woodland burned over are I'll. Fl. Clark,
Jacob Somes, Levi B. Wyman and Louis Free
man, the first named probably being the
heaviest loser. AS yet no DIV ellings have been
consumed, but the house OF Mr.. Hersey,
southwest of the head of Long pond, is within
mile of the FIRE, and is greatly threatened; in
consequence he has moved out. Several log
ging camps, mainly owned By Jacob Somes
and Mr.. Gray, have been destroyed, with
slaves and other contents.
A party OF men who were fighting the fire
Tuesday had narrow escape from being sur
rounded. They were busily engaged at one
point, when suddenly loud cracking noise
was heard directly behind them. On looking
back they found the woods on fire in line
that threatened TO cut off escape, and they
were obliged TO make bold dash for safety to
their boats in Long pond. Seen from the
lower end OF Long pond the picture presented
appalling one. Out from the hot bed OF the
fire, from under the immense cloud of heavy,
fragrant smoke, at times shoots far into the
darkness great tongues of flames, as some
balsam fir, pine or some other resinous tree
standing above its fellows would yield up its
life, and great streak of lurid reflection would
speed with the rApidity of lightning along the
placed surface OF the water. Hundreds intend
witnessing the fascinating spectacle Wednes-
day night. A heavy rain-storm will probably
be the only effectual slayer Of the fire, bnt
there is no promise Of such boon Meantime
all that can be done is being done to stop the
flames. The smaller fires are: One in West
Eden northeast of the head of Somes' sound,
and two between Jordan's pond and Green
mountain.
BAR HARBoR, Aug. 24.-There are now no
fires within four or fire miles of Bar Harbor.
and there 10 no cause for alarm. The free are
confined principally to green woods, mostly
spruce. Not house, barn, a rod OF fencing
or anything else of value has been destroyed.
Owners Of valuable wood lots have taken pre-
cautions to keep the fire within bounds. The
Green Mountain fire is mostly burned out.
The scrub growth destroyed was of little
value, and there is no cause for sensational
kilograms