New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-19
CAMPING IN CALIFORNIA.
TX.
FIRE IN THE WOODS.


We had been crying all day. For more than
week the valleys below us and the lower slopes OF
the mountain had been ablaze. Every year. when
the sheep have eaten all the heritage and stripped
the sapngs BARE the herders set fire TO the bush
TO improve the next seasons pasturage, and whether
the flames shall stop in the bush or spread among
the TIMBER is as God pleases. 1t was the day De-
fore the shepherds drove their two thousand rayag-
ing beasts away from Mount Pinos that these fires
broke out, but for the particular conhagration
which now made our eyes water, that, they assure
MS. was not k,ndled by them but by stock-raisef
in the San Ernidio Valley. 1t caused us no I'M
easiness at Fl st. it was so far away but the acrd
smoke blown upon our camp grew more and more
troublesome and kept us bathed in tears. On
Wednesday the situation became somewhat alarm
ing The birds dashed wildly about with cries OF dis
tress The fire had taken fast hold OF the woods on
the north side of the mountain back OF the camp
and a strong wind blew it steadily toward us. Al
evening We went over to look at the fascinating
spec tacle A shallow, upland valley. studded win
open timbers lies between us aud the sharp north
ern edge. On the ridge bounding the further SIDE
of this valley, quarter of mile from the CAMP
piles of rocks gave partial shelter from which we
could look down into the blazing forest. Toward
the foot of the mountain all was confused mass
of SMOKE and fame in the midst of which We heard
crash of falling trunks and branches. precipi-
tous ravlne branching the top, acted as sort
of chimney and in the draft created by it the tire
was rushing toward the summit feeding princi-
palIy upon the dry cones needles and prostrate
trees but here and there wrapping the green wood
also 1t was already near the edge ut four places
directly in line with the tents. and 1t fianked US
on both Sides Fallen pines fifty sixty feet long,
glowed like huge bars Of molten iron; lambert
flames played about the standing trees patches OF
fire were blown through the roaring air. The con-
flagration spread far among nearly inaccessible
cliffs and involved so much heavy TIMBER that 1t
was i'm possible to check 1t in that steep place by
any means at our command. We could only watch,
and hone and consider what We should do II the
worst came.
The wind lulled in the night, and the fire seemed
to move off to the east of u.s. But on Thursday
afternoon Harvey came running into camp for the
shovel We scarcely heard his hasty words, but We
knew what was the matter and hurried after him.
By one of those freaks for which forest fires are
notorious. the moribund flames had suddenly
leaped into life and furiously over the edge OF
the little valley by series of Jumps. The wind
too. had risen. and instead of blowing from the
SOUTH as 1t Is wont to do In the day time. 1t was
due NORTH that is in the quarter OF greatest danger
Once over the edge of tho mountain however. the
fire, although aarmingly near, was on ground
where it could be fought. Harvey quickly opened
trench roo or two in front of 1t. merely deep
enough to clear away the combustible droppings OF
the trees and expose the bare ground and then be-
tween this trench and tho I'D vancing flames he put
match to the dry stuff and let 1t burn till the two
fires met 1t was done on the principle Of inocua-
ton be kindled small and harmless fire to antci-
pate the big and manageable one. In the mean
time Albert Durers long arms and legs were seen
in frantic movement In the midst OF the dense
smoke, where he was uprooting dead trees and
dragging away the dry wood upon which the flames
fed most eagerly. There was large mass Of old
fallen timber upon the crest of the ridge too heavy
and too fast locked together to be removed, and
upon that the fury of the fire was principally d.
rected. Blazing fragments were blown from 1t
into the valley where the abundance of combusti-
BILE materials, including many dead trunks AS dry
az finder. was an element of serious danger. When
N eht came on in spite of anxiety 1t was mpos-
sible not to admire the magnificent spectacle. The
surface was strewn with pine needles which had
been partly trodden under by the sheep. and within
the area of the fire the blackencd ground itself
seemed to be burning-smoke pouring ont OF II IN
volcanic lets and short blue and red fiames sweep
ing over it like the gaseous flames over broad bed
of coal The dense. resinous smoke piled INTO the
valley, making white background against which
the tufts Of the nearest pines stood ont with exraor
binary distinctness. while the more distant trees
faded into obscurity, the spectral appearance OF
this beautiful bit of open wood being enhanced by
the effect of bright, full moon, and the red glow
from the ridge.
After few hours work it appeared that we could
check the further advance of the flames from the
north provided there was no great increase In the
wind IL a gale should arise like that OF last week
orr case would be hopeless. But there was another
and much larger fire about half mile to right.
This had started at the north base of the mountain
along with the one were fighting. and had gone
over to the east of the ravine, climbing thickly
tmbered and romantic knoll-favorite haunt of the
desr-wbich rises TO a rocky point three or four
hundred feet igher than the site of our camp.
Here it was evident from the vast volume of smoke
and the position of the flames that the confagra-
ton was of the most serious character. Some Of
our party went the scene as they could and
satisfied themselves that it was not coming towards
MS; it was travelling straight across the mountain
in the direction of old camp In the glen We pre-
pared at last to rest. All the horses brought
in and tethered near the camp to be ready for any
emergency they were found close at hand sharing
our anxiety, / think, and preferring companion
ship to their usual night Ismbles. Harvey re-
manned in the valley watching and shovelling and
trampling the flames after arranging with Durer
and the doctor to relieve him at In the morn
ing; others slept fitfully rising now and then TO
see whether the fires were spreading or subsiding
and All Hing-well, this curious Chinaman having
eaten the rind of ham was somewhat indisposed,
and according to his custom in such cases he filled
the teapot and went to bed with it, flooding his
stomach at intervals all night with his national de-
coction
Providentialy, the wind ceased, and before day