Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-07-21

Tamalpais, which for q time threaten.
ed the beautiful Muir Woods and sew
eral summer hamlets nesting at the
foot of the mountain, are given IN
the following article, reproduced from
the S. F. Chronicle:
The worst forest fire which has
helped to devastate the beautifully
wooded slopes of Mount Tamalpais
since the burning of the famous old
Summit House seven years ago broke
out yesterday about half mile west
OF West Point Tavern, and at mid
night last night was still burning de-
spite the heroic work of half a thou
sand fire fighters, including all the
fire departments of southern Marin
county, hundreds of volunteers, sew
eral companies of soldiers from Fort
Baker and the Preside and a detach-
ment Of San Francisco firemen sent
over early last evening on the lire
boat David Scanned
Although no apprehension is felt for
the safety of Mill Valley or any of
the beautiful homes on the outskirts
of that suburb, telephone adyices at
an early hour this morning express
grave doubts as to the possibility OF
saving the famed redwood trees OF
Muir woods, the national park which
the government accepted several years
ago solely in order to, protect these
trees. The fire, which gained a foot
hold in Fern cannon, seemed to take
new life late in the evening and the
virgin forest in this canyon forms a
trail OF fuel directly into the more ia.
nous canyon.
Bungalows In Danger.
Another fire of dangerous proper.
lions is raging in Rattlesnake gulch,
while third angle to the confagra-
ton has slowly eaten its way almost
to the summit of the Hog Back trail
Some fear also is felt at this point, as
strong wind is blowing directly In
to the heavy timber between the Hog
Back and Willow Camp, where there
is a large summer colony and many
handsome cottages and bungalows. In
order to reach these, however, the
fire must travel over much territory.
In the Muir wood district the fight
against the flames is being carried on
under the personal direction of Fred
G. Dezendorf, chief of the second field
division Of the United States Land
Office; who is on the ground with H.
l.. Englebright and Andrew Lynn, two
assistants, and Deputy United States
Fire Warden Oscar Beyfuss of Mill
Valley. William Thomas. master me-
chanic OF the Science Railway, and
John Burt, superintendent of the
North Coast Water Company, both ex-
perienced fire fighters, who know ev-
cry inch of the threatened territory,
are also at the head Of large forces
of men, most Of whom have been on
the job since noon or earlier.
In addition to these are the fire de-
partments of the Marin county towns,
headed by their respective chiefs, and
Companies Thirty-two, One Hundred
Forty-eight and Sixty-one Of the Coast
artillery corps, stationed at Fort Bak.
er. These companies are command.
ed by First Lieutenant ]. A. Green
and Second Lieutenant Dawson. The
firemen from San Francisco are head
ed by First Assistant Chief John R.
Maxwell.
Large Area Laid Waste.
Approximately 200 acres have been
laid waste by the fire, although for
tunately there were no homes or ho-
tells in its path Some of the burned
territory was chaparral pnd scrub
growth, but much of 1t was virgin or
second growth timber, which contri-
buted largely to the famed beauty OF
the Tamalpais and Muir woods re-
gion.
The fire was discovered at 10
o'clock yesterday morning about a halt
mile West of West Point Tavern, near
the stage road to Willow Camp, and
scarcely q mile from the Tavern OF
Tamalpais, situated on the mountains
summit. A number Of volunteers from
Mill Valley FASTENED up the steep
mountain side armed with sacks and
axes. but the force was not large
senough and the fire licked its way to
within few yards of West Point
Tavern. Only the comparatively thin
underbrush at this point enabled the
fighters to gain an advantage here
and check the flames.
In the meantime they had spread
rapidly south and west, in the direc'
ton of the Hog Back and the famous
big trees of Muir Woods. Emergency
calls were sent for more help, and
prompt responses came from San Ra
fael, Kentfield, Corte MADEIRA, Lark
spur and Sausalito. The command
ant at Fort Baker, on the Marin side
also sensed the possibility of seri
Gus confiagration, and dispatched
troops to aid the citizens and volun
teer firemen.
Forest Feeds Flames.
Spreading into Fern canyon before
reinforcements arrived, the flames
found a virgin forest to feed upon
forming a pathway which leads direct
ly into the stately redwoods of the
government preserve at Muir woods
1t was here that the soldiers and the
Sausalito fire fighters did splendid
work, but at a late hour last night il
was reported that the great monarchs
of the forest, which the government
is seeking to preserve, were still in
danger
XIyban vonortc of q N olarminO N q l,rc