Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-28
ATE'S
FORESTS
MENA(,ED
Hundreds Battle Fires
Which Threaten To De-
stroy Big Acreage.
TOWNS IN DANGER
Historic. Settlements In
Nevada Reported In
Path OF Flames.

MARTINEZ, July 28 U.P) After
burning over 310o acres and leaving
a portion of one of the states most
beautiful parks smoking ruin.
brush and forest fire on the slopes
of Mount Diablo was reported prac-
tically under control today.
Forest Ranger William Jordan
telephoned States Forester M. B.
Pray this morning that on the south
side of the mountain toward Dam
vile the flames had been extin-
guished On the north side, toward
Clayton, the fire was still burning
fiercely, although pocketed in sew
eral canyons where Jordan said 1t
was being brought under control.
Unless a high wind springs up dur
ing the day, Jordan said there was
little danger of its spreading.
SAN FRANCISCO, July %. W.R--
Forest and brush fires spread over
thousands of acres in northern
California today, creating one OF
the most serious fire hazards in
the states history;
Although avoiding the death toll
from heat experienced in southern
sections of California, the northern
area was scourged in dozens of spots
by menacing blazes, the largest Gen.
tering at Mount Diablo.
Diablo, scene of two serious con-
flagrations in recent weeks, famed
like a volcano as the fires spread
toward the summit, defying the ef-
forts of scores of hastily recruited
| firefighters. w. B. Rider, deputy
state forester, said the lack of hu-
midity and intense heat added gra-
vity to the situation.
The fire swept through a state
park. destroying valuable trees, and
started toward the town of Clayton.
Three hundred firemen, including
all prisoners in the Contra Costa
county Jail, were dispatched to the
scene.
Two historic mining towns, Red
Dog and You Bet, were threatened
by another fire reported out of con-
troll on a three-mile front between
Colfax and Grass Valley, in Nevada
county. More than II, 900 acres al
ready have been burned over, level
ing school houses at Mariposa and
Birchville and destroying a narrow
gauge railroad bridge across Bear
Greek. Four hundred men were
fighting the flames.
Another 400 men fought 1000
acre fire in LaSSen National Park,
which includes Americas only ac-
tive volcano, while in Amador coun-
ty 5000 acre blaze threatened the
mining town OF Drytown.
Most of the fires broke out late
yesterday, spreading over wide
areas before volunteers could be re-
cruited. A number of smaller fires
we're brought under control within
few hours, but the success of for
esters against the four bigger con-
flagrations was in doubt.
Mont, July 28-tU.P)
One of the vests finest forests
rapidly became a blackened grave
yard of trees as giant white pine
fell, scared skeletons, burned and
twisted by the worst fire of the year.
Forest service officials marshaled
additional crews. and by afternoon
1000 men will be on the fire front,
and more will be enroute.
The fire, a huge circle nearly go
miles in circumference, was spread
ing fast under shifting winds, which
during the last "a hours reached
gale velocities.
Travelling northwesterly from the
Pend Oreville forest in northern
Idaho, the fire moved into the Yaak
river country in the Kootensi forest
of western Montana.