Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-08
FOREST FIRES SPREADING
NEARLY ALL NORTHERN MIN
NESoTA IS ABLAZE.
Cavalry Troops Fighting Flames in
North Dakota-Towns Wiped
Out-Others Threatened.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
STURGES, s. D., September S.-Three
troops of cavalry from Fort Meade last
night fought forest fires in the pine woods
near here all night long and three more
morning.
The fire has been burning in the pine
for several days and has reached a point
where an immense section is threatened.
Sturges and Fort Meade are surrounded
by open spaces and the towns are not
endangered
Enormous Burning Area.
DULUTH, Mimi, September S-All of
northern Minnesota seems to be ablaze
with forest fires. Reports received here
today indicate that the region covered by
the fires extends as far along the north
shore as Grand Marias, as far west as the
western Mesaba ranges. south to within
ten or fifteen miles of Duluth and as far
north as the extreme northern edge of
the ranges and perhaps much farther.
Throughout the distance, territory one
hundred miles square. fires are raging and
settlers are being burned out by the hun
dreds. 1t will be impossible to estimate
the total loss for weeks to come. 1t will
be very heavy.
Citizens in a score of villages such as
Buhl. Nashwauk. Wrenshall, Aurora,
Mitchell and many mining locations are
devoting all their energy to fighting back
the flames. No more towns of impor-
lance have been burned since the de-
struction of Chisholm, but constant vigil
lance is needed to save Hibbing. The
village of SNOWFALL with one hundred in
habitants is wiped of the map. Aurora,
a town of one thousand Inhabitants, was
threatened all last night, but today it
was reported safe for the time being.
A brisk wind Is blowing in the territory
affected, and unless it dies down or a
drenching rain comes the entire district
mentioned above may be swept clear of
standing timber.
Duluth has raised $4,000 for the suf-
ferers. and relief trains are being rushed
forward from here.
Homeless settlers are arri-ing in Hib-
bling and Duluth by every train telling
tales of hair-breadth escapes from the
flames. Up to the present time no lives
have been reported lost.
Spreading Rapidly.
The Mesaba range is again threatened with
the fire horror which swept away CHS
holm Saturday and wiped out thousands
of acres of standing timber. After a day
Of quiet the flames. which died down
Sunday, were famed into renewed fury
again yesterday and are sweeping on
toward Hibbing, Bull and Nashwauk
from the south.
The town of SNOWFALL. 100 inhabitants,
was completely destroyed in the after
noon. The people had no opportunity to
fight the flames and fled in terror Snow
ball is about two miles from Nashwauk
Brooklyn, a small suburb of Hibbing,
is threatened with fire, and If this portion
of the town catches the rest is doomed
Bull and Nashwauk, which were threat
ened with destruction Saturday, are
again in danger. and the flames are
creeping slowly toward them.
Aurora is entirely surrounded by forest
fires and the citizens are fighting the
flames. The town is believed to be safe
unless a strong wind should rise.
Mllville, a small town about a mile
southeast Of Hibbing. was threatened
with destruction all day, and was saved
only by heroic efforts. Several hundred
men are still guarding the place. The
pine timber which surrounds Mitchell
has been almost entirely consumed.
Between Nashwauk and Hibbing, re-
gion twenty-five miles long, the forests
are one continuous mass of flames.
From Hbbing it is an appalling sight,
and the big clouds of smoke which have
been pouring over the threatened city ali
day hid the sun as though the sky was
overcast with black clouds.
Northwest of Hibbing the flames have
spread over wide area.