The evening times., 1896-07-23
MANY LIVES MAY De LOST
Forest Fires in the West Still
E - J. Raging.
MINERs SURROUNDED BY FLAMES
In Washington and British Columbia
Whole Camps Have been Destroyed.
- Number of Villages Threatened
With Destruction-wom omen and
Children in Danger.

Spokane. Wash, July 23.-A strong
wind has been blowing from tie East for
the past twenty-four hours. clearing the
atmospheric. here. of smoke, but in the
mountains to the Forth the breeze has been
I the means OF tanning the forest tires into
raging walls of flame. which are sweep
/ ing across the mountains and down into the
valleys with terrible rapidity. When the
| air was still the fires were confined TO the
mountains and did not oreep down into
| the valleys, but now those who sought
safety there are compelled TO flee for their
| lives.
Word received from Kaslo and points
| along the Arrow Lakes, in British Column
bia, is toIlhe effect that the high wind
| has famed the smculdering cmbers into
fresh blazes and where the miners thought
they were safe, the fire having passed
over them, they lind themselves surrounded
by flames. In some cases escape is almost
impossible and u number OF deaths may be
The result.
ON the northl fork of tie Salmon River
nearly all the cabins and shaft houses have
been burned TO the ground, WI IN large guam
titles OF provisions and tools. 1t is learned
that ROssand, b. c., is in danger. All citi-
zeGs OF the town are out on the hills trying
TO prevent the fire from reaching their
bones Cabins within four miles of the
Town have been burned.
MANY SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.
Meag.r reports have reached this city of
fires on the Coiyil.e Indian Reservation.
only few people have come do wn, and IL
is feared that many have met their
death. A party came to Kettle River from
Turtle Creek. Three members went back
10 get some bedding they had forgotten.
They have not returned, and as the fire has
swept over the place, it is feared that ,hey
have been lost.
The members of the Uaite Sta ties forestry
commission are in this city, coming for the
purpose OF inspecting the forests, but the
visitors find they cannot go out on ac-
count of the fires. From Information they
have of the extent OF the fire they esti-
mate the damage at many millions OF dol
lars
Seattle, Wash, July 23-FoIes. fires
last night des; roycd tie logging camp OF
w. NJ. ClctlIier & Son at central station OF
the BelliDgIam Bay and British Columbia
Railway. The lcss is estimated at $50 COO.
The entire country north of here is in
flames. Tie fac is gradually working to-
varl Whatcom.
MINING CAMP BURNED OUT
Vancouver. b. c., July 23.-AIong the
Northern Railway, between Whatcom and
Goshen, bush fires have burned many farm
Buildings ana railroad ties. A Vancouver
last night there We're two fires, caused by
SPARKS from the bush fires, a house and
steamer being burned.
Unless rain comes soOn large tracts of
timber along the Frazer river will be de-
stroycd, Dense smoke has settled down
over the seaport towns, and it is with the
greatest difficulty that navigation can be
I carried on.
Victoria, B. C., July 23.-The southern
ha!f OF vancouver Island has not seen clear
atmosphere for several days. owing to the
brush fires everywhere raging. causing I'm
mense Ga;rage to property, and making
travel on country roads extremely danger
ous. The worst reports OF damage reached
this city from Aiherni last night. That city
is surrounded by one immense fire, which
has taken entire possession of Mineral Hill,
a wealthy section.
The flames have destroyed all buildings
IN the Duke Of York mine, China Greek, and
are now within two or three miles of town,
having burned numerous camps. bridges. e,c.
There We're many narrow escapes from
death. Women and children had to be kept
under the piping of hydraulic mines and
drcnched with water to prevent them from
being sc1rched.
The damage to property thus far is estI-
mated at over half Il million dollars, and
the lnsS on burned timber will reach well
into the millions.