A Wall of Fire Above Tacoma Creek
A lightning-sparked blaze burns 2,000 acres, jumps a three-mile trench and pulls lumber companies, settlers and the state fire warden into a desperate fight.
During the past week a fierce forest fire has been raging in the southeast corner of township 35-42 and the northeast corner of 34-42 in unsurveyed territory. The fire started in Section 35-35-42, and up to the present time has burned over about 2,000 acres, running along both sides of the headwaters of Tacoma Creek. Fortunately but little valuable timber has been burned up to the present time, the fire having run over an old burn and through timber that was not heavy or valuable.
The first report of the fire came from Blueslide Thursday, and it is thought it started by lightning. The Panhandle Lumber Co., of Spirit Lake, and the Consolidated Lumber Co., of Elk, both of whom have large holdings in the territory threatened by the fire, were notified, and they immediately took steps to start the fight against it. Cruiser W. C. Lawrence, of the Panhandle, took down a large force of men Saturday morning to join the settlers of that vicinity, who had been fighting the fire since its start. The Consolidated sent down some men on Sunday, and the fight has been handled vigorously ever since. On Monday a trench had been dug for three miles around the east and north sides of the fire, and it was thought that it was checked, but a heavy wind came up and the fire went fifty feet high across the trench, and forced the retreat of the men and the starting of a new trench.
Deputy State Fire Warden Kerr, of Colville, was notified Saturday evening, and rode across to the scene of the fire. After sizing up the situation he came to Newport and opened communication with the state warden at Olympia, notifying him of the gravity of the situation. He was advised by the state authorities that there were but $475 on hand for use in this district, and was requested to keep within bounds of that sum. Realizing the necessity of more funds, he enlisted the aid of the Commercial Club and business men, with the result of receiving authority to use $400 more. With this assurance Mr. Kerr started for the scene on Wednesday morning with 55 men, going by way of Cusick to the south and west side of the fire. Communication has since been opened with Gov. Mead by County Attorney Rochford and local people, and it is expected that authority will be given to keep the men in the field until the danger is past.
Mr. Lawrence says that the fire seems now checked, but that it is not yet under control. In case of a strong south wind springing up, some of the finest white pine and cedar in the valley will be destroyed and the loss run into a large sum. Much credit is due to the settlers in that section, who have waged a fierce fight against the flames, and also to the women who have assisted in the work by providing provisions and ministering to the comfort of the weary workers. It is a difficult matter to supply provisions at that distance from the base of supplies, and many of them have suffered for the want of blankets.
Capt. LeClerk, of the Metaline, reported today that the smoke in that section seems to be lighter.
Supervisor Frome reports a small fire along the south end of Priest Lake in the Kaniksu National Forest. A force of rangers is at work fighting the fire.
“A heavy wind came up and the fire went fifty feet high across the trench, and forced the retreat of the men and the starting of a new trench.”
Inland Northwest communities still measure summer by smoke and evacuation notices, and wildfire response still depends on underfunded state crews, timber companies and neighbors with shovels. The 1908 fire's improvised trench line would look familiar to any modern volunteer firefighter.
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