Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-21

PORTLAND. Ore, Aug. 2o.-The
forest fires which are devastating va
rious parts OF the northwest are more
threatening tonight than at any pre-
vious time this year. Except in the
Colville country in washington and the
Wallowa fire in northeastern oregon,
where the flames are supposed TO be
under control, the situation is most
discouraging.
At Wallace and Murray, Idaho,
where the fires on Placer creek which
were believed to be subdued have
broken out with renewed fury, fears
are expressed for the safety of the
towns
At 4 o'clock branches of trees were
falling upon Wallace, driven there from
the forest fire, which is only two miles
distant Under direction of forestry
officials, soldiers and laborers have be-
gun backfiring between Wallace and
the fire.
The mining town of Murray, Idaho,
is seriously threatened by the flames
which surround the place, according
to telephone reports received here at
o'clock this afternoon. The burning
embers are being carried from ridge
to ridge and the people are fearful of
the result.
SMOKE CAUSES DARKNESS
The smoke from fires which have
been revived by the wind darkened
Wallace this afternoon so that it was
necessary to light the electric lights
in the stores and on the streets. The
sky is a dull red. One fire is raging
on the Mullan road, three miles from
the town: another in Placer creek and
a third at the Polaris mine.
In oregon the most serious situa-
ton is in that part of the Cascades
forest reserve that lies between Kla-
math Falls and Medford. Two great
fires are raging in this district, one in
the vicinity of Mount Mclaughlin
creek. The latter is threatening the
water supply and the electric light
plants of Ashland Fear is expressed
for the safety of the town itself, but
this danger probably is exaggerated.
Combating these fires, the forest
service and private timber interests
have about 500 men in the field and
from American lake, Washington.
The forest service in Portland has
asked for information from the San
Francisco officials of the service as to
whether regular troops in California
are so located as to be available in
fighting the southern oregon fires.
No hope of a relief from the present |
dry spell is given Dy llle ulS!LlCI lOIo7
caster of the United states weather |
bureau in this city.
Forester Ceicil declared that if more
fire fighters are not on the scene with
in the next few hours It will be just |
as we'll to let the fire burn itself out |
without attempting to combat it.
He says that the forestry service had |
drafted every available man in south |
ern Oregon into service, but the num- !
entirely inadequate to stay |
the progress of the fire, which now has |
q frontage of about twenty-five miles.
Ceicil tonight telegrapheG to Wash
ngton urging that the forestry service
with the war department to
have the entire Oregon National Guard
ordered to the fire.
The difficulty which prevents the
sending of the federal troops appears
10 be that there is no available ap-
to cover the expenses of
The troops. President Tafts blanket
order to provide troops to assist the
'orestry service apparently contem-
plated that the troops move on foot
rom the nearest post.
The great distances between the
Tres and American lake prohibit any
of marching. From Amer
lbout 450 miles, or from three to four
weeks march.
Late today Forester Cecil received a
elephone message from Brigadier
General Maus, at American Lake,
tating that pending the adjustment
# difficulties that have arisen, the
so troops promised for fire fighting
purposes in Southern Oregon will not
)e sent,