Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-08-18
DAMAGE ALREADY A MILLION
TROOPS TO AID FIRE-FIGHTERS
RAIN ONLY CAN STOP FIRES
One Fire Sweeping Patch Three Miles Wide Is Advancing at
Terrific SpeedTWo Companies of Regular Troops On
Way From Puget Sound to Aid Fire Fighters viii Reach
Medford Tonight Caused by Lightning Striking
Dead Trees.

timber the flames flared up and
spread rapidly to the brush. Driven
by stiff wind, the flames soon de-
veloped into comprehensive fires.
Seeing that the fires promised to
do tremendous damage the rangers
communicated with the Portland
forestry bureau, appealing for aid,
and call for the assistance of
troops was Immediately forwarded
to American Lake where 1t met with
prompt response.
Owing to the number and position
Of the fires, the troops will be COM
PEELED to organize into small parties
when they begin their battle against
the flames.
The fire in the Cascade national
reserve is reported to be under con-
troll. 1t burned over 1000 acres,
but did little damage to the mature
timber.
According to information received
by the local forestry officers, the
Northwest fire situation, save south
ern Oregon, has improved material
ly within the last two days, owing 70
rain.
! 1t is believed that the worst is
over as there are indications that a
general rain will soon fall in eastern
Oregon and Washington.
Associate Forester Cecil said today
that an Investigation would soon ne
started to ascertain the causes of
the great number of forest fires this
year.
1t is generally believed that 4
number of the conflagrations were
started by men who later secured
employ ment from the government to
/ fight the flames.
Fires Near Crater Lake.
Medford, Ore, Aug, 1s.-Fort.s
men under the direction of Super
visor NJ. L. Erickson, of the crater
National forest reserye are desper-
ately fighting today to check the for
est fires which are raging about the
base of Mount Mclaughlin, about
S5 miles east of this city. They are
meeting with little success, however,
The greatest damage wrought by
the fire will not be the loss OF the
timber, which is very heavy in this
section, but q is feared that 1t win
serioutly damage Medford's water
supply as the flames are raging in
the water shed Of Little Butte
Creek, from which this city takes it's
water.
Telephone communication was es-
tablisbed this morning with Super
VISOR Il,ckson who was informed by
a llDi,cd Press representative of the
departure Of the troops from Lake
American, Washington, for the na-
tional forest reserve. Erickson
stated that they We're badly needed
and that the task Of checking the
flames would be a hard one even
with additional assistance He re-
ports six more fires in that section.
1t is estimated that timber worth
$l00O,OOO has already been ,des-
troyed, most Of It being white pine.
over 5000 acres have been burned.
Assistant Supervisor swenning IN
his city, is making arrangements 10
rush the troops to the scene Of the
Tres.
Troops On the Way.
American Lake, Wash, Aug. IS
Companies e and M Of the First
Infantry. comprising three officers
md 1O8 men left American Lake
Early today for the Crater national
'orest in southern Oregon to fight
he forest fires which are raging in
he district.
George II. Cecil, associate forester
It Portland. telegraphed for troops
asst night, aud Brigadier-General
daus, commanding the maneuyers.
ordered two companies
mt for duty
1t Is expected that the troops viii
each Medford. Oregon. late this