Meteorological factors in the Quartz Creek forest fire

Abstract

It is not often that a large forest fire occurs conveniently near a weather station specially equipped for measuring forest-fire weather. The 13,000-acre Quartz Creek fire on the Kaniksu National Forest during the summer of 1936 was close enough to the Priest River Experimental Forest of the Northern Rocky Mountain Forest Experiment Station for the roar of the flumes to bring the residents to their doors several times; so close that hose and gasoline-powered pumps were installed to protect the buildings; so close that the women and children were sent away to greater safety during the most threatening period. Hence the weather records at the station may indicate some of the reasons for the great spread of this fire.

Citation

Gisborne, H. T. 1927. Meteorological factors in the Quartz Creek forest fire. Monthly Weather Review. 55(2): 56-60.