The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-08-19
RAIN lessons
FIRE DANGER
NEAR DULUTH
Showers and Heavy Dew Re-
ported from Many Sections
Where Forests Burn
WIND VELOCITY LESS
This More Than Anything
Else Saves Hundeds of
ves-Settlers Warned

Duluth, Minn., Aug. 19.-Reports
from Fairbanks, Rollins, Markham
and Wales on the east side of the
Kelsey fire zone stated that q heavy
shower visited that region early to-
day and gave the guards needed as
sistance in holding back the flames.
The menace this side of the Kelsey
fire is said to be over, at least tenn
porarily. Guards from the east side
of the burning area will be shifted
to the west and south sectors where
there was little or no rainfall.
Truck loads of equipment and food
supplies were being rushed into the
fire zone today. 1t is the plan Of
the forestry officials to rush work
during the lull today and be prepared
for another emergency which might
be caused by strong winds. On the
return trips the trucks will pick up
any families who .-sy :lave been ad-
vised as matter Of precaution, to
leave their homes in the fire zone
Heavy Dew
The heavy dew of last night was
followed early today by light
shower and indications at $3.50 a. m.
today were that guards would have
another favorable day in their eff
forts to stamp out the threatening
Kelsey forest fire. The sky was over
cast this morning but the weather
bureau said the cloudiness was only
The forecast for Duluth
and the Messaba range promised gen.
orally fair weather and fresh to mod
crate, northerly and northeasterly
winds. tm I ~ 80
The northeast wind which regist-
cred IA miles an hour had increas-
ed to a 2O-mile rate at $3.50 o'clock,
H: w. Richardson, of the local Unit
ed States weather bureau believed
the wind would not exceed a 25-mile
rate. ~
Last nights shower amounted to
pnly .O3 inches, but it fell in d.
zle and was most effective in damp
ening the parched vegetation, rang
ers reported. That was the most
that has fallen. in some parts
Of this SECTION for seven weeks.
Two additional companies Of ma
tional guardsmen were added to the
forces fighting the Kelsey fire at
daybreak today.
The change in the wind from
northwest to northeast would have
no appreciable effect on the pro-
gress of the stubborn Kelsey fire, 1t
was reported early today. With
calm prevailing, the fire was
confined close to its own boundaries
yesterday.
Forestry men and state officials
here discussing the fire fighting
we're optimistic over prospects for
olding the flames today, but assert
ed there could be no definite relief
until drenching rain fell.
ST.. Night of Calm
After q night of virtual calm, men
the forest fires in northern
set out today to attempt
to get strangle hold on the vari-
GUS blazes before they could be
stirred into greater menaces by hea-
w winds. A light drizzling rain, fell
early today.
Lack Of winds of good rain are
needed before the 200 odd fires
spread over an area of 100000 acres
can be extinsuished or brought un-
der control. This mornings rain, it
general will be Of great aid to the
3, 900 men battling the flames. Set
tiers remaining in threatening set
Elements have been warned by Gov
ernor J. A, o. Preus, who is in per-
sonal command of the situation here
and W. T. Cox, state forester to be
to leave their homes should
high winds develop today.
: ~ Lull in Wind
/ According to Mr.. Cox only the lu'l
in the wind yesterday prevented
repetition of the 1918 disaster when
435 persons we're killed.
The most serious fire today con-
tinued to be the one in the vicinity
of Kelsey, 45 miles north OF here.
Others causing concern were near
Fairbanks and Buhl but latest re-
ports were that the fire fighters
were making progress against the
flames.
F., Early today there had been no
casualties though several persons
were reported missing. First advices
that members Of two families had
perished were contradicted when
they were reported safe after varl-
Gus experiences in escaping from
their homes.
~. AFFORD LITTLE RELIEF
St. Paul, Mimi, Aug. 19.-Ihe
light rains reported in Duluth, last
-. ~ ,,..,, I;kklo to cheek the