The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1921-03-22
A|RPLANES To
CRUISE WIND
SWEPT FOREST

SEATTLE. Wash. Mar. 22,-Air.
planes soon will be circling over the
olympic Peninsula, a vast stretch oi
wild timbered country in the far
north western corner OF Washington,
In an effort TO determine accurately
the damage wrought by seventy
minute tornado which on January 80,
caused what officials say was tho
greatest timber disaster in the his
tory Of the country,
Eight billion feet Of lumber was
splintered or crashed TO the ground
by the storm, according to estimates
made by state officials, government
foresters and lumbermen who visited
tho Olympic country with Governor
l.. r. Hart after the storm. The fin
ancial loss. they say. may be csumat-
ed at between si0o,0oo.oo0 and
$3.50, 200. 900. State Land CommiS-
sioner Carl SavidEe. a member OF the
governors party estimated that sS
per cent OF the trees on state hold
ings had fallen.
Timber remaining on the peninsula
constitutes the creates, fire menace
In the United States today, Mr.. Saw.
idge declared in a report. One cigar
ette stub, be said. might be enough
TO start a fire that would sweep the
area. ''if fire comes he said. the
damage that has already been done
will be puny and Insignificant beside
that which will result"
Plans for salvaging the fallen tim
Der and that left standing await the
result Of the airplane survey before
completion. The federal government
has been asked to provide a means OF
entry into the district and state Off
cials expect that some use will be
made OF the railroad by the United
States Spruce Corporation during the
war. running from Fort Angelus on
the edge OF the storm area. into the
interior OF the peninsula. Present
plans contemplate giving Governor
Louis r. Hart wide latitude In direct
ing the work OF fire prevention and
opening up roads and trails. Propos-
ais for burning over the entire area
In the early spring while brush and
foliage are wet thus removing the
menace OF dying underground have
been discussed.
No lives were lost In the storm. al
though a number OF the settlers had
almost miraculous escapes. Many
barns and dwellings were destroyed
and between twenty and thirty fam
lilies rendered homeless. Horses and
cattle were filled. A power plant at
Forks. In the center OF the storm
area. was razed. and six houses In the
Indian village OF La Push. near the
Pacific Ocean. were blown away. Set !
tiers have taken a measure OF COM !
fort from the statement that any two |
OF the giant trees uprooted would
more than furnish enough lumber |
to replace every building damaged |
by the wind.
OF $50 miles OF rangers trail and 1
$50 miles OF telephone line. not
trace remains. The Olympic highway.
a scenic route. was blocked for miles
by uprooted trees. Roads and trails
were obliterated by trees piled many
feet high in the most open places.
Reports reaching State Game Com
missioner L. II. Darwin indicated
that the destruction OF elk, thousands
OF which roamed the peninsula. pro-
tected by the law, was not as great
as was first reported. Hundreds OF
then, were imprisoned by fallen trees
blocking their trails. however. Mr..
Darwin said. and unless a way Is
found to release them. they may
starve to death.