The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-09-15

"osoh. IL WcetcTH washington an
Oregon the situation is extremel
dangerous and remain so until raj
falls. So far the increase of protet
tive effort over that of previous year
has been notably effective, but ex
IRENE dryness and the overtaxing O
all forces to control numerous fire
now being fought, threaten seriou
consequences in case Of strong win,
or the starting of new fires.
| In Montana, frequent showers Ii
August have made fires few and un
important SO far, the chief danger
now lying in that the vegetation slim
ulated by these rains may be rendered
infiammable by early frost and dry
weather. In addition to the fedora
forces, over 200 wardens have been
maintained by the state and the tim
Der owners, but there has been al
most no necessity of employing fire.
u6uIluS ldUOr.
Idaho has had no bad fires and
weather conditions are SO favorable
that the timber owners associations,
which have had heavy patrols since
May, are rapidly reducing their
forces. The Couer d'Alene district,
which suffered heavily in 1910, had
about SO small fires this August, but
they were handled so promptly that
only one, which was incendiary, was
at all serious and this was practically
confined to an old slashing. The for
est service has been equally fortunate
in Idaho, but is still maintaining its
full force.
Heavy private, state and federal
patrols in Washington have so far
stopped with small damage the fires
set in green timber by lightning and
campers. The greatest difficulty has
been with fires in slashings and old
burns, which acquired Roadway al
most instantaneously and threatened
adjoining timber. One in ain old
burn west of Mt. st. Helen and one
near Pc Ell, which burned approx
mately section of timber, were the |
most serious Washington fires in |
August, but all authorities agree that
The recent dry winds have brought
LANCER that can hardly be over-esti-
mated and that only rain or extreme
,are in the use of fire can prevent
serious losses. Close watch is being
kept for violations of the fire laws.
Oregon is also entering the worst
eason of the year. Fully 500 fires
we're reported in August. The worst
ituation at present is in the Santiam
nd Clackmas regions, where several
hundred men are still required to
lold two or three bad fires which
ave been fought for weeks. Fires
ngaging ten to fifty men are num-
rous throughout the western part OF
he state, but. up to date are fairly
,ell controlled and have done little
erious damage. The forestry service
as about 800 men on patrol and as
lany more working on fires. The
late and timber owners have over
90 patrolmen and are still increasing !.
leir forces. Carelessness with slash
lgs and by hunters is reported the
lief cause of fires and the state Of
Gals are making every effort to stop
lrther slash burning with or with
1t permit. T.
The association emphasizes that
lille heavy Expenditures and splendid
operation by all protective agencies o
I'VE so far prevented repetition of y
e distress of 1910, conditions are II
pidly threatening to become beyond
ntrol and that every care by loog- c.
RS, settlers, campers and hunters is 81
cessary to insure against great loss d
life and property. W
"a