1910 was a terrible year for forest fires
Mt Hood Forest Fires of 1910
-The Big Burn, or as it was called, “The Big Blowup” saw huge fires in the whole of the Northwest including Idaho, Montana and Washington. Although it wasn’t considered a part of the Big Blowup, that August a wildfire threatened to burn down the towns between Sandy and Government Camp.
Many lives were lost, most all were the Native people who traditionally came to the area each season to camp, hunt, fish and harvest huckleberries.
It’s sad that it is forgotten and it reminds us of how vulnerable we can be here around Mount Hood.
This is an article from the Oregon Daily Journal dated August 28, 1910. I have transposed it for easier reading.
The Mt Hood Forest Fires of 1910.
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LOCAL PARTY NEAR MOUNT HOOD NOT MENACED BY FIRE
Members Returning From the Maulding Hotel Say Flames Along Mountain Road Under Control; 4 Houses Burned
Thomas McCusker and his son-in-law, E.M. Fauch, who returned yesterday by auto from the Maulding hotel, near Welch’s camp, on the Mount Hood road, with Mrs. Custer, Miss Helen McCusker and Mrs. E.F. Cannon, reported the forest fires that raged along the highway last week, greatly abated. They arrived in Portland about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon.
“The fire started,” said Mr. McCusker, on Zig-zag mountain, according to reports and is supposed to have been caused by the carelessness of forest rangers. It swept down the Sandy road and river to what is now known as the McIntyre place. So far as I was able to learn only four houses were burned. On Wildcat mountain a squaw and pappoose were burned to death, according to the reports made by hundreds of Indians who were driven out of the brush.
“Mr. Fouch and I went to the Maulding hotel Friday to get my wife and daughter and Mrs. Cannon. We found that the hotel was in no danger, but that the hotel was in no danger, but that every precaution had been taken. Maulding’s place is about three miles south of Rhododendron inn around which the fire swept.
Mountains Swept Clean.
“When we left the Mount Hood district the fires were still burning, but were under control. It was feared they were beating back into the mountains. The wind storm that rose up Tuesday about midnight and gave impetus to the flames, has subsided and unless the wind, which was light and blowing to the northeast, changes, I believe the fires will be extinguished without trouble.
“The west side of Huckleberry mountain has been swept clean of all growth, and Zig-zag and Wildcat mountains have been denuded. Fences were burned out all along the road and hay and other crops gone. On the ground over which the fire swept there is no vegetable life left, but in many places smothered by flames, the standing timber is not so badly hurt as supposed. In many cases the fire was swept through so swiftly by the strong wind, that it burned only the underbrush and did not really damage the larger trees.
“Bull Run is in no danger and from what I learned as not endangered at any time. Of course, if the wind changes suddenly and freshens up considerably, the flames may be carried in to the reserve, but such is not likely.
Settlers Leave in Hurry.
“Everywhere we saw evidence of the haste in which people left the burned region. Along the sides of the roads we saw camps, deserted days ago, with the dishes still on tables, and clothing hanging on the lines. We met one camper yesterday hauling a half of a dining room table. He told us that the other half had burned.
“The Indians and berry pickers suffered terribly. Hundreds of Indians who were camping and picking berries in the woods were robbed of their all by the fire, their blankets burned, their stock killed and their tents and camp equipment destroyed. So it was with many white campers. No one will ever know just how many burned to death, for there may have been hundreds of berry pickers in the dense woods through which the fire ate.
“People who are still at Maulding’s place, Welch’s and at Rhododendron asked me to let the newspapers know that the danger was past, so that their friends and relatives may know they are safe. The stages are having trouble getting in and out and it will be several days before all those who desire to leave can get out.
“At Maulding’s hotel there are a Mr. McKnight of Portland, and his three sisters; Mrs. Rasmussen and two daughters; T.G. Green, and two children, Dr. Stolte’s wife and son of Douglas Taylor, formerly city engineer of Portland, are at the hotel. Mr. Taylor is out in the woods on a surveying trip. He did not encounter the flames.”
Read here for another close call with a Mt Hood Forest Fire in 1952
