Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30
IDAHO GOVERNOR
DECLARES MARTIAL
LAW IN FIRE AREA
Proclamation Follows Out
break Of Seven New BIazes
Thought Incendiary.
As FIGHTERS 0USTED
IN CLEANUP DRIVE
Forest Blazes Fought on Front
From Canada to Santa Bar
bara, Calf.
By the Associated Press.


BOISE, Idaho. August 29-Goy. c.
Ben Ross tonight proclaimed martial
law In three counties in South Idaho
which are being ravaged by forest fires,
and ordered out State troops TO sup
press incendiarists.,
The proclamation Of martial law fol-
lowed closely another statement declar-
ing the section in state Of insurrec-
ton, 8 less drastic order
Before issuing the order Gov, Ross
conferred with other State ohcials, who
advised that new fires were being de-
Iberately started in Gem, Boise and
valley counties. Fires in the Boise
Basin have RACED two towns burned
numerous ranches and cabins and
proved fatal TO two men.
In statement Gov. Ross said dan
gerous condition would be presented
when the larger fires were suppressed.
Explaining that most Of the FIRE fight
ers were "law-abiding industrious men, .
he declared that "firebugs among them
will get in their worst work when they
are no longer employed"
ono Misunderstanding"
The Governor said the second order
was issued so there won't be any mis-
understanding in the minds Of men
planning to start fires maliciously."
They will be hunted out and prose
cuted If it is possible for the military
forces to do so. Amy one resisting au-
thority under the order is subject TO
Imprisonment Of not less than two
years.
Gov. Ross said the drastic measures"
were necessary to curb the work OF
men who maliciously light fires in order
to give themselves employment in fight
ing them"
1T is not cur plan to take over civil
functions" he said Arrests made by
State authority will be handled through
tie established criminal courts. Ma
tional Guard and forest officials and
have agreed that nothing less than this
action viii control the situation Areas
within the counties where there is no
timber viii not be included within the
effect Of the law except so far as it is
necessary TO prevent persons making
unnecessary trips into the forest areas.
Our principal concern is ahead Of
US, when the forest service finally sup
presses the fire around Placerville and
Grimes Pass. About 700 men now en-
ployed Will then be released. BY far
the largest majority Of them are law
abiding industrious men. But the fire
bugs among them viii get in their
worst work when they are no longer
employed. II is their activities which
We must guard against"
Entrance Restricted.
The Governor declared the order ef-
fective am tomorrow. After that
E,4<T
fire area except on pass obtained from
proper authorities
National Guard troops will remain in
the fire area. and IN the wider terri
tory covered by the Instruction procla-
nation, until rain comes TO lessen< the
fire danger, the Governor said.
Forest officials declared the fire in
the Boise Basin area was well in hand
and undoubtedly would be stopped
within the next day or two.
Forest fires continued burning furi-
ously IN Northern and Central Valley
County north of Mccall as well as in
High Valley where the outbreak was laid
to incendiaries.
Seven new fires were reported in the
past "a hours. one Of them between
Placerville and Pioneerville within a
short distance of the main fire area
The others were IN High Valley. in VAL
ley County where six fires we're started.
Counties Incapable.
In his proclamation the Governor
said 1t had been made to appear
TO my satisfaction that many Of the
fires are Of incendiaTy origin and that
the criminal process of the counties has
rot been sufficient to identify and ar
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