The San Francisco call., 1895-11-17
FORESTS ARE ABLAzE,
Fires Raging in the Hills
Northeast of Santa
Rosa.
IMMENSE DAMAGE DONE.
Three Houses and Their Contents
Included in the List of
Losses.
PLACERvILLE Is THREATENED.
A Confagration Urged by High Winds
Sweeping Down Upon the El
Dorado Town.

SANTA ROSA, CAL, Nov. 16.-An i'm
mense forest fire has been raging all day
among the hills two miles northeast of this
city. It started last night on the Wells
ranch, where the employees were burning
brush, and a sudden wind from the north
on the Rincon side caused the fire to
spread at an alarming rate. In short
time the whole hillside was ablaze.
The loss sustained to property, fences,
etc., is immense. Over so 900 acres of terri
tory was burned over. Three houses with
all their contents were destroyed.
Ranchers in dismay turned loose their
cattle to enable them to escape death in
the flames.
The County Hospital, in which there is
large number of patients, and the County
Farm buildings were at one time in great
danger. A guard composed of number
Showers of sparks and burning leaves fall
ing around the buildings reminded specta-
tors of snowstorm.
The heat last night and to-day has been
very oppre ssive. Latest advices are that
the fire is being gradually got under con-
troll.
PLACERVILLE, CAL, Nov. 16.-Fires
are raging three miles east of town and
approaching the village. The Smiths Flat
dollhouse and mine are in danger. Valu-
able timber has been destroyed over ten
mile circuit and the flames, roaring like a
hundred-stamp mill, are spreading rap
idly. Urged on by high wind the fire,
coming from the south, is approaching the
Grand Victory mine. 1t is well protected
with water and hose machinery.
Several small residences are burned and
hundreds of men are fighting to save Sen
ator Larkins property, four miles from
town.
The wind is lowering, and Placerville at
late hour was in less danger. The village
of Diamond Springs is threatened. The
loss of valuable timber is great. To the
south many men are fighting to protect
Smiths Flat.
EMIGRANT GAP, CAL, Nov. 16.-A
fierce forest fire has been raging since yes
| terday afternoon in close proximity to the
town of Blue Canyon. The origin of the
| fire is a mystery, but it is supposed to
have been started by tramps. Fears were
entertained last night that Blue Canyon
would be consumed, but by calling upon
4
every available man the Southern Pacific
| Company has thus far succeeded in shield
| ing the town from devastation.
The fire is by no means under control.
At 3 o'clock this afternoon, the flames
| which had been confined to the east side OF
| the track, spread to the west side, thereby
placing the snowsheds in danger.
| The Blue Canyon fire train was called out
as soon as the fire was discovered, but was
unable to successfully cope with it. The
Summit fire train and several section crews
were then dispatched to fight the rapidly
spreading flames.
| Every effort is being made to keep the
| fire in the forest, but it is feared heavy
| damage will result before it is subdued.
| A late report says the fire is battling all
| efforts. More men have been ordered out,
| and if not checked soon miles of snowsheds
may be destroyed and Blue Canyon may
| be wiped out of existence.
| The extent of the damage so far is small,
| the fire being confined mainly to the for
| est.
| At midnight the fire is still raging. The
| flames jump 100 feet into the air. Help
has been cslIed tor from all directions,