Description
Describes the disastrous 1910 season, as wildfires swept across the Pacific Northwest, claiming lives, towns, and mining camps, and illustrates how American bureaucracies, politics, developments, and ideas collide with nature.
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In the summer of 1910, fires burned across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, devastating millions of acres and killing nearly 80 firefighters. Farms, mining camps, trestles, and whole towns were burned to the ground. Pyne (history, Arizona State U.) describes that year through eyewitness accounts of the rangers, soldiers, politicians, bureaucrats, scientists, and civilians who fought the fires. He goes on to show that virtually all modern firefighting policies have their origins in the experience of 1910. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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