New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-26
THE ADIRONDACK FIRES.
SUPERINTENDENT FOX TELLS OF THE
METHODS EMPLOYED TO STOP LOSSES
EXPENSE TO THE STATE.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]


Albany Aug 25.--wnliam F. Fox Superintendent
.. state Forests was here to-day for few hours
and then returned TO the Adirondack woods where
he has been fighting fire for fortnight.
Thanks 10 the skfu mana gement OF Charles
q Babcock. o, the Forest Preserve Commission
and large body OF fire wardeus, combined with a
rainstorm the fires have been subdued in the
State's forests" he said.
How much are those forests worth Mr.. Fox?"
AT present prices, 100000"
Then Colonel Fox gave an account Of the recent
battle with fires.
Commissioner Babcock" he said. directed the
operations OF the fire wardens by telegraph tele-
phone and messenger. One OF his plans
have a special train on the Mohawk and Malone
Railroad always ready 10 start of with gang Of
fire wardens II news OF fire in the woods
ceived. The Adirondack woods different from
those in the Northwest. which are composed OF
resnous trees. The woods in the Adrondacks are
chiefly hard wood. and less liable TO burn. Nearly
all the fires in the Adirondacks therefore usually
occur in the spring late in the fall. when the
trees have little foliage but this year. in conse
cuence OF the unprecedented drOuth the woods
took fire in the summer. For fifteen years have
had no fires in August but the conditions were ia
vorable 20 fire this year
The reported damage by FIRE in the Adirondacks
IN the last ter days is largely exaggerated. The
fires were alarming in their appearance. and made
a large OF smoke. but with few exceptions
merchantable timber destroyed. the fires
n almost every instance stopped when they
reached q place OF thick woods Throughout the
Adirondscks there places which have been
burned that covered with bushes,
which in dry season ignite easily and make
rapid but not destructive FIRE The causes Of fire
follows in the order Of their frequency:
First. farmers who burn brush in clearing land.
but permit the fires reach the woods, second,
locomotive sparks: third fires OF hunters and FISH
erTnen; fourth. picnickers and summer campers:
fifth. carelesSreSS throwing down q ugNieQ
match cigar: sixth. people who set fire TO forest
land 10 increase the space for berry bushes.
The fires from natural causes rare, but this
summer there have been three well authenticated
cases Of fires caused by lightning. The principal
fires this year were in the region Of the Saranac
Lake and Lake Regis because there were more
clear!ngs and waste lands there than in any other
nar- ~ tha Adirondack platesu However there
were more or less fires every county Of the Adj
rondack region. Little timber was burneo except
"a the case OF nre OF Top n %; ,Pi rc was We'll
tnder control by the fire wardens before the rain
came. There were d great many fires along the
NJ OF the railways At the Upper Lake hre'
vi ich quite extensive the Two IocaI nre va" Ma
dsfs had over eighty men al work. This latter hre
thu eatened the lands OF the Cornell Forestry Col
age at Axiom in frankhn CoHny ?,doI ne foiig5T
Tns FIRE and kept it Of the college forest Inc
college party was assisted fu1tner pE some t me-
Aurveying the lines OF the college tract. All the
10 save their own woods Commissioner Babcock,
from the telegraph stations al ssranas and al
res tbroSebout the entire Adirondack forest
dering fire wardens 70 threatened points Tnere
81 fire wardens at work, who receive 3 a
day. one-half OF which is paid by the town IN
which the fire wardens are put 10 work
The expense OF paving for thls worA, 50 Ia az
the State is concerned. will be taken out OF me
$3.50 900 appropriated this year 70 buy forest anas'
It is Just as praeGa 9ye bo1rb as TO buy more
forest land and therefore he consented 70 our usns
Controller Morgan also gave his consent to this use
OF the money.