The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-01
FOREST FIRES RAGING
Colorado's Great Timber Domain
Is Being Devastated.
TOWNS ARE THREATENED
The Greater Portion OF the Forests Of
the State VIII be Swept Away.
There Is No Way to Check
the Flames.

Denver. Sept. 30.-Reports from the
western portion Of the state continue to
tell OF the ravages of the forest fires
which bid fair TO devastate the greater
part OF the forests Of the state. A spe-
cial from Glenwood Springs. the center
Of the burning district. says:
THE fires I'm the mountains near here
have taken fresh life to-day owing to
fresh winds. The sun has been nearly
obscured all day and the atmosphere Is
heavy with smoke. The fire east of
Gelnwood is, fortunately. In an unset
tied portion OF the county, and. aside
from the immense loss by the burning
Of the timber. no loss has occurred up
tn the present time. The stock on the
range. as far as heard from. has es-
capped the fire."
Colo. says: Forest fires are raging on
every hand here. Sheep mountain, on
the north side. Is a mass of flames.
which reach within a quarter Of a mile
OF this camp. Great apprehension Is
felt hero for the safety of the town.
The origin OF the fire mere Is supposed
to be sparks from engines"
A special from Montrose. Colo. says:
The forest fire southeast OF town about
25 miles has now reached large proper
tons and can plainly be seen from town.
The range between Hairpin Mesa and
Saw Tooth mountain Is nearly devas-
tated"
The weather man can offer no hope
for those on the western slope whose
homes and crops are threatened by the
forest fires. There are no indications
whatever of rain. and this seems to be
the only element able 10 stay the
L.
high winds have prevailed. giving a
fresh impetus to the forest fires that
are devastating the timber domain.
In consequence. new territory IL be-
ing devoured. The blaze is rapidly ex-
tending along the grand reserves Of
Girard mountains. west OF Homestake
creek. and from present appearances
will sweep the country to Bear noun
tain. at Minturn.
Back OF Minturn 10 the heads Of Will
low and Two Elk. the country is devas-
tated, little remaining to feed the
flames. From Hoosier mountain the
wind has driven the fire to the edge
of Gypsum creek. The settlers OF Up
per Gypsum. Cannon. Collins and 9TH
ers are fghting desperately to save
their homes and stop its passage
through the magnificent forests of
West Brush. II IL gets into Brush. the
finest body of timber In the state is
gene.
No loss of life has been reported. but
several people have lost their homes and
their crops.
Dispatches received here say that the
peak. between North and Md
die parks. Is now a mass OF flames. and
II Is greatly feared they will extend to
both OF those beautiful camping
grounds.
The fire has already cut n swath IS
miles long from the Grand river almost
10 Dillon. in Summit county. The width
is as yet unknown. Kremmling. In
Grand county. has had a narrow escape.
and the danger Is not yet entirely over.
The fires in the vicinity Of Ouray are
not a. bad as for several days previous.
but the smouldering embers may be
famed into an awful confiagration by
the slightest wind.
The fires around Aspen are working
down the mountain side toward town.
although they are not burning with the
force they have been.
At Gunnison. Crested Butte. wolcott
and Glenwood Springs the fires are still
raging.
No estimate of the damage TO timber
and ranches can oe given. but II will un-
run far into the millions.