Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1901-10-02
bOYD'S FIRE REPORT
DETAILED ACCOUNT OF
RAVAGES IN HAMAKUA
First, Second and Third Fires With
Minor Ones at Paauilo and
Other Places Work Of
the Wind.

Governor Dole received yesterday
from Superintendent OF Public Works
James II. Boyd the following commu
nication. under date OF September 81,
referring particularly to the disastrous
forest fires on the Big Island:
Waimea, Hawaii, Sept. u, 1901.
Hon. S. b. Dole, Governor Territory of
Hawaii Honolulu, 7. II.
Sir: have to present the following
statement Of facts as a supplementary
and final letter on the subject OF the
forest fires in the Hamakua and Wal.
mea districts, on this Island and OF
which said fires | was, in accordanc.
with your instructions. to investigate
and report to you thereon.
To Relieve Suspense.
Under date of the 18th instant for.
warded letter containing the brici
information of my visit to the location
attacked on the 21st ! forwarded a
wireless telegraph message on the
subject, intended to relieve suspense
as to the necessity of the Forwarding
OF aid and assistance ito suppress the
fires) by the Government This letter
will deal with matters not previously
presented In detail, and will cover
conditions existing to this date.
Fifty.Mile Ride.
On the morning Of the 18th instan',
again under the guidance of Mr.. Albeit
Horner. whose assistance was invai.
liable. he, with Mr.. +. w. Carter, being
our guides on the fifty mile ride ri
the previous day. journey was made t.
the scene Of the Ookala fire for the
obtaining of desired information and
inspection. After ride Of over four
hours through the Ookala forests and
along a very rugged mountain trail.
crossing gulches and gorges by steep,
narrow and dangerous bride paths
| during which journey several minor
accidents happened to horses and rid
ers), arrival was made at point IN
the mountain forest about $500 feet
las stated in the barometrical reading
Of Assistant Superintendent Campbelli
above sea level. and where was plainly
presented the destruction wrought by
the fire In thickly wooded forest aud
accomplished the retarding and SUI,
preston of the confagration.
Not Entirely Extinguished.
The smoking trees and ground
showed that the fire was not entirely
anu tIt HOIstS III tThNtl
ing over the ground frequently sunk
their feet and legs below the surface
and Unexpectedly revealed deep holes
of smouldering fire which were buried
from one to two and three feet from
sight or outward indication. This sub
terranean action OF the fire, aside from
the havoc made in the forests. Is re
sarded by planters as most destruct
i've to the productive qualities OF tn.
soil. Here was noticed the tact. judy
ment and good work accomplished D,
Messrs. Walker. Horner and Garter
tact in the joining of their forces (,
gether, the laborers from both plan
tations being worked together against
the common enemy: judgment in the
digging OF many miles of trenches 4
prevent the leaping across the road
ways by the fire, and good work In thu
successful suppression. after maGI
hours of hard battling with the namcs
Wind Plays Havoc.
At and during the nre a very higr
wind prevailed, which caused spark,
to be distributed long distances from
the original point of commencement,
and II was stated that several time.
the woods. some hundred yards in the
rear, were on fire. while attention was
being concentrated against the prog
ress of the conhagration In front
lMr. Carter and band of his laborers
came very near being enclosed in Z
fire belt from this distribution 81
sparks from lofty burning trees at IN,
time of the Homer flre) When IL il
remembered that there was not a droI
OF water avail sNle for quenching tht
fires, and that the long.continusd
drought had caused all the under
growth to be of tinder.lke nature
1t can be readily believed that tn.
work of suppression was remarkable
and well worthy of favorable com
ment and recognition. Both Mr.. HOr
ner and Mr.. Walker have established
laborers' camps in the upper fores'
areas to prevent further spread, an
to suppress any dangerous outbreak
Of fire within their properties.
Through Coffee Lands.
Shortly before shutdown on the l5ti
instant departure was made from the
forest lands, and journey was contin
ued through the destroyed and injurct
coffee plantations OF Messrs. Osborne
and of Mr. Horner and others. In
vestigation showed that the coffc,
plantation of Mr.. Osborne was entire
ly destroyed, while Mr. Horner su.
Tered but slightly, in comparison.
After the completion OF further In
vestigation, during the making %
which much valuable information an,
assistance was given by Mr.. Alder
Horner. at whose hands. as well as b.,
Mr.. j. NJ. Horner, the party was th'
recipient Of kind and even generou
hospitality, return was made from tn,
scene OF the Hamakua forest fires, all,
to the established headquarters A
Waimea. The result OF the investiga
ton made resulted, as you have beer
informed by wireless message, of tn;
fire being under control, although sul
burning, and that no assistance wa
required from the Government.
Some Narrow Escapes.
Arrival back at Waimea was mai,
on Saturday, the 21st instant, and /
needed rest was taken on thar day an'
on the next, Sunday. During the three
days used h the investigation, owe
100 miles OF territory was traversed
land although several narrow escape,
occurred, no accident of moment hap
pened to any of the party. Every en-
deayor was made to obtain full al;
decisive information relative to tn,
fires, and the results arrived at, a.
before stated, were from a full an,
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