The San Francisco call., 1897-07-12
Fierce FLAMES
Near BERKELEY
A Destructive Forest Fire
Starts in the Red
wood Canyons.
Five Square Miles Of Territory
Swept by the De-
stroyer.
Barns, Stock and a Large Amount of
Grain a Prey to the
Blaze.

OAKLAND, CAL, July II This morn
ing fire broke out near one of the many
ca mps in the redwood canyons just over
The ridge in Contra Costa County. For a
time it was confined to the brush and the
campers did not anticipate any danger.
but as they could not control it they be-
came alarmed and soon every camper was
packing UP and moving as fast as possible.
The flames spread to few tents and, as
everything was dry, it readily burned.
Some reports were received that very
early this morning fire was seen on Griz-
Fly Peak. and it is probab that it was
working its way along the crest of the
hill all day, although not till dark was
the flames generally noticed. The fire
spread rapidly this evening, and for many
miles he illumination i'll the sky over the
ridge was so bright that it appeared as ii
at least three miles of the redwood forests
were blaze.
across the summit and approached Judge
CARRIERS place, but at no time was it IN
danger, although Constable Jacobsen OF
Berkeley was on hand with a gang of
me ready to do anything necessary to
save the ranch.
Toward midnight the fire had burned
as far as there was anything to feed it on
the Berkeley side OF the hills and was
back on the Contra Costa side. 1t spread
rapidly toward the Medau ranch, and as
there was good breeze blowing the
flames soon covered an area of proba bly,
not less han three square miles.
Ranchers turned out to protect their
property and large crowd went out from
Karl "a q q n.
BILE, but nothing could be done 10 check
the flames and the giant redwoods rapidly
caugnt ire from the burning under
growth. The flames ran rapidly along the
brush and frequently hall mile of grass
and brush would be ablaze ahead of the
district where the big trees were burning.
At IL o'clock there were fully five square
miles of territory on fire. althou n most
OF it was on the Contra Costa side of the
ridge. The track of the flames pass ed
very close to several Portuguese ranches,
but as the grass had been burned off, and
there were no trees near, the houses were
saved.
Many barns and miles OF fences and
some stock were destroyed and also many
hundreds of acres OF chevalier barley tha
was ready Tor harvesting.
The fire did not reach as far north as the
Miner ranch and the petrole UNI -borin &
plant but kept between that place and the
summit.
Toward midnight it was approaching
the big Medau ranch, but he buildings
were not In the liue of the flames advan ce
and were not considered in danger. The
fire was not so furious after midnight, but
it is not i'm possible that it may sweep
right along the canyon back of Joaquin
Miller's place and pursue its course
toward Haywards. 1t is estimated that
5000 acres had been burned over up till
midnight. and the flames were still pro
crossing, although after the breeze died
away their course was much less rapid.
No accidents to persons or ranchhouses
could be learned about up to midnight,
and from Judge Garber's place message
was sent TO Oakland that the fire was
wholly confined to the forest and brush.
At l o'clock this morning the fire had
about died out, and from indications 1t
will not spread any further.