The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1911-08-04
FEW FIRES IN JULY
Work Of Prevention Is Well
Organized.
OREGON, WASHINGTON, IDAHO
Several Convictions For Violation
of Fire Laws.

of Fire Laws.
The Forest Fire Bulletin OF the
Western Forestry Il Conservation as.
ISOLATION for July:
Portland, July 28-Six prompt ar.
rests and convictions In Washington,
several more In the other northwest
ern states. and such decisive organ
lied work on all fires by the several
public and private agencies that
little loss has been sustained, mark
the opening of the 1911 forest fire
season. Advices received today by
the Western Forestry & Conservation
association from nearly all state,
government aud private protective
agencies report that the recent hot
weather has brought dangerous con-
ditions almost everywhere, and that
small fires are already numerous, bnt
nearly all have been extinguished or
confined to slashings and old burns.
There has been considerable loss Of
settlers improvements and logging
equipment carelessly left surrounded
by infammable material, but com.
paratively little injury to standing
timber.
| Reversing last years experience,
fires serious enough to be alarming
began first 10 Oregon, where in Linn
and Clackamas counties about So.
600 worth of logging equipment and
the property of several settlers have
been destroyed by slashing fires which
were, however, soon brought under
control by a large force employed by
the forest service and by private
companies. Many other fires through.
out the state which caused exaggerat-
ed reports also proved to be chiefly on
! open lands. Organization OF the
states patrol system under the new
! law is practically complete, there be-
ing state fire wardens in % counties.
! Timber owners connected with the
Oregon Forest Fire association have
about 250 patrolmen. In response to
petitions from property owners, some
Of the counties are also hiring patrol
men. The state has applied to the
secretary Of agriculture for $lO.O
under the Weeks law, which author
ICES the expenditure of this sum by
the government 10 cooperation with
any state which will add q like
amount.
| In Washington green timber Is
hardly dry enough to carry fire rapidly
without strong wind, therefore the
state and association authorities are
devoting most OF their effort to re =
ducink the number OF small fires and
slashing fires which may otherwise
break out sO0u to an extent overtax.
ing their facilities for fighting then,.
Swift examples are being made OF
viOlators. In four cases builders OF
county roads leaving inflammable
debris have been flned; several con-
victiOns have been had for burning
slashIngs without permits; and one OF
two logging companies have been
shut down for careless operation.
The only really serious FIRE 10 green
timber SO far is on Green river near
Hot Springs, although slashing 6res
near Pc Ell and Doty have run into
the woods a short distance. aud slow
burning fires on the Toutle and
Lewis rivers are requiring close at
eLtioU.
There has been little trouble so far
10 Idaho or Montana. The timber
owners associations are heavily
manned and with the forest service
have made energetic preparation by
cleaning up hazardous places, build.
ing trails and telephone lines and
storing supplies, SO that although
lightning fires have been frequent
they have been promptly controlled.
The railroads have been especially
active in cooperating against risk,
j the Great Northern and Milwaukee
lines having spent large sums Ia
clearing fire lanes along their rights
of way.
Summarized, the reports show that
the recent hot weather has brought