The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-01
COLORADO STILL BURNING.
Some Abatement in Fires That Have
Been Devastating Wisconsin.


Denver. Oct.1.-The forest fires on the
west slope of the Rockies have spread
and only a heavy rain can stop them.
In the vicinity of Steamboat Springs
there has been a rainfall which checked
the fires there but they are still smouI-
dering and will start into life again I'M
less there shall soon be more rain or
snow. Local Forecaster Brandenburg
says he has observed no change in
weather conditions that point to rain,
though the welcome prediction of the
weather bureau at Washington for Col
OradO is Showers
Governor Adams said today: 81 think
the only thing that will put a stop to
the fires is a good heavy rain There is
but little use in trying to put out the
fires by the usual means as the fire is
not continuous. From what 1 can learn
it must be in probably 80 different pla-
ces- IN my opinion the fires are due
wholly to accident. Campers build a
fire. A spark blows into the under
brush, which is very dry and a fire is
the result. 1t is so easy to start a for
est fire just now that it is almost I'M
possible to ascertain the origin of it,
Sparks from railroad engines may have
caused some fires
Within a day or two fires have an
peared on the west slope of the Pixies
Peak range and large sections of timber
are Deing destroyed. Great volumes OF
smoke can be seen rolling over the crest
OF the range. The fires seem to be burn
ing herceIy along the west side of
Mount Badly, which rises to an alti-
tude OF $4,000 feet, four miles south of
Pixies Peak. At shutdown the volume of
smoke decreases perceptibly.
The people Of Pitkin county are be-
coming terrified over the havoc wrought
by the fire that is now raging near As
pen. The county commissioners are
advising with the city authorities as to
the best method to check the fire but
as yet no plan has been outlined
i
over an area of 100 square miles and is
still sweeping eastward in a stretch ten
miles wide.
The people of upper White river have
fought fire for three weeks day
and night. They have been AIDED bv
forest rangers Dunn and Gilbert Par
ties from that section say they have
seen nothing of the other government
rangers.
The towns of Kokomo and Hahn's
Peak are reported to be in danger from
the fires surrounding them.
GlenwoOd Springs is enveloped in a
cloud of smoke and the situation in that
vicinity is rapidly becoming worse.
A special to the News from Kokomo,
Colo, says:
Forest fires are raging on every hand
mere. Sheep mountain on the north
sac, IS a mass of flames. which reach
within quarter of a mile of this camp.
Great apprehension is felt here for the
safety of the town. The origin of the
fire here is supposed to be sparks from
engines.
A special from Montrose, Col. saws:
The forest fire southeast of town
about 20 miles has now reached large
proportions, and can be plainly seen
from town. The range between Hair
pin Mesa and Saw Tooth mountain. is
nearly devastated.
Chippewa Falls, Wis, Oct Forest
nres which have been spreading for
days show TO signs of abatement in
Chippewa ana Clark counties Outside
these two counties the fires have gem
orally been checked by rain or have
burned everything in sight
The devastated district extends
through the counties running from Abb
botsfOrd along the Wisconsin Central
for 200 miles and north for IS or a hun
dred miles 1t is estimated that 500
million feet of pine have been destroy
ed Many farm houses have been des-
troyed. Many hundreds of farms in
this county alone have lost all their
buildings and grain. Organized bands
of farmers have been trying to stop
the flames, but with little success No
estimate can be placed upon the dam
age done to gathered crops, buildings,
lumber and growing timber. The fires
are thought to have been started by
farmers in clearing their lands.
Milwaukee. Oct. IA dispatch from
Rice Lake says the forest fires in that vi
cinity were checked by light rains last
night Fifty farmers near Rice Lake
lost all their possessions. The Johnson
Brothers Lumber cOmpany,Six miles west,
lost their mill and stock of hard wood
Ium Der, with no insurance
The town of Alamena, near Rice Lake.
is reported destroyed. The 500 railroad