A forest fire of unknown origin which started near McIntyre Creek, four miles from town, early Monday morning and caused grave apprehension around the town, was brought under control on the southern area Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after the fire was sighted, Sgt. L. S. Kingston, Commanding Officer of the local detachment, and members of the force quickly gathered a crew of fire-fighters and before noon were battling the blaze, which was being fanned by a strong southerly breeze.
For a time the fire appeared to be gaining headway and working nearer to the town, and every available man was rushed to the scene. Bert Peterson, dock foreman of the White Pass Co. and the doek crew was rushed to the scene on Monday afternoon and rendered valuable service in checking the blaze. :
On Tuesday evening the fire had gained such headway that the fire sirene was sounded on the instructions of Sgt. Kingston and every available man in town was rushed to the fire in cars and trucks, including the shipyard crew, which had just finished work for the day. This crew worked until near midnight, when a fresh lot of fire-fighters took over until the morning.
By Wednesday afternoon the fire was definitely under control on the town side and is now being kept under surveillance by the police. It was a fortunate circumstance that the wind held in the south and carried the blaze away from the town. The fire, it is reported, has now reached the Seven-Mile and its area is said to be approximately four by seven miles. Although it is believed that there is no further menace to the town, it can not be felt certain that the danger is yet over, as a strong wind from the north might still drive the flames past the fireguard and through the heavy timber to the west.
Great credit for keeping the fire under control is due to Sgt. Kingston
and Constables Mabee, Williams, Robson and Moxom, who all worked untiringly practically day and night. The co-operation of the White Pass officials in supplying men and equipment was also a contributing factor in subduing the blaze as also was the ready and willing manner in which employees of the company and local residents turned out.
Valuable assistance was rendered by those trucking water to the scene and
special credit is due to George Ryder for the use of his caterpillar and plow. Those donating the services of their trucks and cars included the White Pass & Yukon Route, T. C. Richards, H. G. Macpherson, F. E. Harbottle Jr., J. R. Alguire, Owen Williams, Donald
Walker, George Walker and O. Erickson, proprietor of the Regina Hotel.
It is not amiss at this time to give brief mention of the danger of fires
in the woods, not only through carelessly-thrown cigarettes, but by leaving bottles or glass around. It is a known fact that the sun's rays, focused through glass, creates an intense burning heat and is many times the cause of forest fires. Campers and picnickers
are urged to throw all bottles and glass in some pond or other body of water if possible and help eliminate this fire hazard.
Camp fires are another source of forest. fires which is becoming an increasing danger each year. Campers should make certain before leaving that fires are really out, not only on the surface but underground. After stamping a fire out, water should always be thrown on the ashes in quantities sufficient to penetrate through to the earth.
