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Friday, November 25, 2022

Four Big Fires Sweeping Western North Carolina Mountains, Nov. 25, 1922

Four Big Fires Sweeping Western Carolina Mountains Today. . .Forest Fires in N.C. Mountains Fast Spreading. . . Hundred of Men Are Fighting Them But so Far They Have Made Little Headway. . . Three in Pisgah Forest. . . Damage Is Very Heavy; Principal Fire Is On Fork River Ridge and No Less Than 500 Men Are Fighting It; Winds High and Flames Sweep Across Barriers

Asheville, Nov. 25—Four serious forest fires, three upon lands of the national forest preserve, were raging practically unchecked in this section today. It is estimated that fully 3,000 acres have already been burned over with a heavy loss no only to the lumber standing and cut, but to saw mills and lumber that have been enveloped by the flames.

A lumber mill in Graham county, at the head of Snowbird creek belonging to the A.T. Daisey Lumber Company, was entirely destroyed by fire last night, entailing a loss of $9,000. Insurance on the mill lapsed last month, according to the report of Gibbard Smith, forest warden.

Fires on the Pisgah forest preserve on the headwaters of the Davidson river had covered 1,000 acres this morning and a force of nearly 509 men were battling with the flames.

The principal fire of this section is on Fork River ridge. The Carr Lumber company of Pisgah Forest station shut down yesterday and placed their entire force of 200 men fighting the fire, which had crossed the Pisgah ridge from the vicinity of Suncrest lumber camp, which has been burned out. Trestles and skidders belong to the company were destroyed.

A heavy wind, which prevailed last night and today with low humidity, rendered the work of the fire fighters more difficult. It was believed the fire would be brought under control by nightfall, but this hope proved futile as the wind increased its intensity, carrying fire brands and fanning flams across the fire trenches.

Two fires were out of control in McDowell county, one on Jarrett’s creek and the other on the headwaters of Mills creek. Information from the former today was that the fire had reached the head of the creek and was spreading before the wind.

From the front page of the Twin City Sentinel, Winston-Salem, N.C., Nov. 25, 1922

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