16 ANNUAL REPORT OF 



^George Stein, president village of Cass Lake, July 28: 



(Telegram) 



Forest fire raging four days north end of large island in 

 Cass lake; also one up Turtle River, both raging badly 

 owing to extremely dry weather. No settlers in this ter- 

 ritory, what shall I do to preserve forest? 



Same, July 29: (Telegram) 



Had force of men out to-day, killed fire on Star Island. 

 Will look after Turtle River fire to-morrow. 



Same, July 31 : 



In the matter of fire on Star Island. After subduing 

 the fire last Wednesday I left three men on the ground 

 as a patrol. They have had more or less of fire fighting 

 to do ever since. The dry leaf mould that has accumu- 

 lated for years is the cause, as the fire seems to be under 

 this mould, and finally breaks out and then being whipped 

 by a breeze starts the fire. The men left there go over 

 the ground constantly and when fire is discovered it is 

 promptly handled. This method of warfare will no doubt 

 have to continue until we get a good heavy shower. In 

 the meantime I will keep them there and furnish them 

 with plenty to eat. 



Same, August 12: 



The fire burned over a territory about one mile long 

 and half mile wide. A swamp on the west and Lake 

 Helen on the north prevented it from spreading further 

 in that direction, which gave us the south and east ends 

 to fight. Where the fire raged the fiercest luckily hap- 

 pened to be in the smaller brush and the jack pine, the 

 high winds prevalent from the south keeping it away from 

 the Norways and white pine to a great extent. When we 

 arrived on the scene the fire was just getting a good start 

 among a nice lot of Norways. Before same was extin- 

 guished we lost about three trees and a dozen or more 



