The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1910-08-26
OVER VAST AREA

| Missoula Aug 2r--Mercilessly and re
lentlessly the forest fires in western Mon
tana and Idaho are sweeping over vas,
area. driving hundreds of fugitives before
them. destroying small settlements and
wiping out of existence millions OF dollars
worth of property. The situation tonight
is more serious than it was IN the early
morning. except as to Wallace, Idaho.
where it is believed that nearly half OF the
city will be saved. Communication with
| Wallace to the west has been possible al
| intervals today, but eastward it is entirely
cut off and it is known that the entire east
half of the town above Seventh street has
been burned. West of that hard fight is
being made and with an Improvement in
the water supply there is chance that the
flames may be driven back. For few
minutes this afternoon the Missoula report
er at Wallace had a wire. He summarized
the situation as follows:
Thirteen lives lost: property loss, 81.
DOC, 900: fire still threatening
Elsewhere in the fire zone. the situation
has gone from bad to worse today. The
most serious incident is reported late this
afternoon from the ST Joseph country.
| where $50 men engaged in the forestry SER
vice are missing. and it is feared they have
been burned to death. When the fire APP
preached the camp. where there were 400
men. two fire fighters took horse and.
| riding the animal to death. reached anoth.
er camp and organized a rescue party
which penetrated the fire district at Bird
Creek. Twenty of the men were found in
the water where they had gone for safety,
and they were unframed. OF the remain
ing $50 no word has been received. The
forestry service has organized RELIEF
train, well equipped with pack animals.
carrying provisions and hospital supplies,
and Will endeavor to get through the fire.
About I. 900 refugees have been brought
into Missoula today. There is much dis
tress among them. Their wants are being
supplied by Missoula people. and the,
have been given temporary homes. The
first Of the trains which came in over the
Northern Pacihcs Occur d'Alene branch
brought the patients who had been in the
Sisters hospital at Wallace. and as many
refugees as could find places on the small
train. There were $50 on the train, and :
second train at noon brought as man,
more. These people came from the small
towns along the line between here anc
Wallace. Many of them had been rousee
from their sleep by the people on the train
whose summons had been their first inti
nation that the fire was near: there hat
been no sign Of it when the people went Il
bed Saturday night. In most instance:
these folks escaped only with scanty cloth
ing. A woman who had fed from hel
home at midnight gave birth to child in ;
box car just after the arrival of the frs
train in Missoula.
LEGAL hospitals are caring for the sick
Mi.soula homes have been opened freely
and the homeless are in comfortable shap.
for the present. Another train with SOC
people on board is expected tonight ovel
the Milwaukee road.
| A dense pail of smoke hangs all ovel
western Montana. In Mlssoula il was a.
dark as midnight at S O'Clock. the dens,
smoke being given lurid hue. which had
iall the semblance Of the glow Of ERE. bul