Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1902 — FOREST FIRES ALARM. [ARTICLE]

FOREST FIRES ALARM.

House*, Barns, Timber and Stock Consumed in Oregon. Forest fires are raging in the vicinity of Springwater, Ore. Houses, bams and stock are being burned and the whole country is devastated. Many cattle were caught in the timber and burned to death. There are heavy fires four miles east of Molalla. Smoke from the forest fires backed up from the coast in a solid bank and caused an unusual phenomenon at Astoria, Ore., the setting sun turning the sky a yellowish green. Business throughout the city generally was suspended and everywhere lights were turned on. The girls employed in a packing house ceased work to pray. A steamer on the Columbia was compelled to use a searchlight at 11 a. m., and the Portland and Oriental liner was unable to leave on her trip. A message from Mehama says that timber fires all around that town are doing great damage to forests and threatening settlers' houses and property. Thousands of dollars’ worth of property are already destroyed. In the Elkhorn country fires are also raging in choice timber, doing great damage.