The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1917-08-16
Latest on Lightning Greek, Be-
tween Harpster and
& Dewey Mine.
46 men NOW ON JOB
Spokane Distributing Office
Sent Down 16 to Aid
Local Force.

FUTtN-bWO men are now IlSnunB I0f-
est fires at Lightning creek, across the
South Fork of the Clearwater, between
Harpster and the Dewey mine, under
direction of the local Forest office, and
we are pleased to state are making
some progress toward suppressing 1t.
Local men to the number OF 26 were
sent out from here Wednesday and 16
arrived from the Spokane distributing
office last evening and were sent out
on the firing line
A fire was reported at Green creek,
on the other side of the Clearwater,
but ii proved to be settlers burning off
clearings and was under control at all
times.
A fire is burning now just off the
Forest in the Cove country. 1t Is ON
Buffalo Grass ridge just beyond the
South Fork road constructed and later
abandoned by the Forest Service Be
ing OFF the Forest 1t is not under the
control OF this Forest office
A fire has been reported at the Nc
Cloud ranch on the Snake river near
the G. J. Hall winter camp This is
being handled by Forest Ranger Lew
Brundige and such assistants as he has
been able to muster UP.
A big fire is raging over ON Craig
mountain beyond Cottonwood, and
seems to be covering considerable
country. 1t Is said to threaten both
homes and grain fields, hut this may
not be wholly correct.
Hunters and Campers Warned to Take
Extra Caution.
/ Officers in charge of the Nezperce
Forest inform us that this vicinity is
/ in the midst of the worst fire season
~ l.. L.. 81 a.
period of 40 days and from present In
dications the balance of the month viii
4 also be without precipitation An nm
/ usual feature of the season is the al
most total absence of electrical storms,
and this condition is welcomed by the
Forest officers since 1t eliminates one
of the most prolific sources of fire. In
spite of this favorable circumstance.
however. the Nezperce Forest has had
4 fires since July 3, one of which lis
/ supposed TO have been caused by q
stray bolt of lightning. The balance of
| the fires are known to have been caus-
ed by abandoned camp and clearing
/ fires and by careless smokers This
means that 81 per cent of the fires on
the Forest to date could have been pre-
vented by the use of reasonable care In
the handling Of matches and open fires
Carelessness such as this is inexcus-
able and should be punished by Grim
inal prosecution.
The Federal fire laws provide heavy
! penalties for such offense and the For
est Service intends to investigate the
causes of each fire thoroughly and If
it Is found to be due to carelessness or
neglect, criminal action will be instf-
tuted under these laws. 1t lis not the
intention of the Forest Service to work
hardship upon any one and it is its
desire that the public shall make use
of the Forests for recreational purpos-
es to the fullest possible extent. The
extraordinary percentage of fires due
ito human agency, however, makes
some drastic action necessary In order
to bring careless campers and trans
tents to n realization of the harm done
by moments carelessness. Fires can
work Il great hardship upon the COM
mnnity this season even If no timber
Is destroyed, since a great many of our
stockmen are dependent upon the for
! est for fall and winter range.
With the opening or the bird season
another source of fire is added to the
list. We would suggest. therefore. that
all hunting, fishing and camping par
ties take every possible precaution with
their fires and see Ii by this means the
! number of human agency fires in
this vicinity can not be greatly re
duced or entirely eliminated.