Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1898 — FIRES IN THE FORESTS. [ARTICLE]

FIRES IN THE FORESTS.

Lumber Districts of the North Are Threatened with Destruction. Rain has come to the rescue of the timber districts and lumber towns in Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota, and the forest fires that threatened great destruction to cities and forests have been partially quenched. Reports received in St. Paul indicate that the worst is over, but precautions will not be relaxed. It*is impossible to estimate tho loss. Telegraphic communication with some of the stricken towns is still interrupted. Claytori, Clear Lake, Alamena and Poskin were almost wiped out., but many of the residents managed to save a goodly portion .of their household goods. Latest reports from Barron said that place was still in danger, but it is probable that the greatest danger is passed. The loss to standing pine in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, is enormous, (lienwood, Wis., passed tho danger point, but a twelve hours' fight with the flames was necessary to avert entire destruction. Cedar Lake Dam suffered severely, many buildings being burned at and near that place. Tho dam was also destroyed. Among the heaviest losers at Cedar Lake Dnm are Knapp, Stout & Co., whose large lumber barns and other buildings were burned. Rice Lake. Wis., narrowly escaped being wiped out, sixteen farm house* on the outskirts being destroyed. Hundreds nre homeless, and thousands of feet of hardwood lumber are lost. The fate of many settlers in the forests can only be conjectured. F’iro departments in the big cities have been appealed to for assistance, and are ready to go if they are needed. Some estimates of the loss are $3,000,000. Many lives are supposed to have been lost in the forest fires around Idaho Springs. The fires cover most of the northwestern part of the State, and the loss to woodlands is greater than money could replace. Counties most affected are Routt. Rio Blanco, Grand Lorimer, Garfield, Eagle, Pitkin and Summit.