New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-15
AVERTING FOREST FIRES.

A valuable report on the suppression and pre-
ventlon Of forest fires has just been made avail
able by publication In pamphlet form. The
paper results from actien taken last June, after
extensive destruction had occurred In the Adj
rondacks, by the Board of Trade OF this city.
That organization instructed its committee on
forests to investigate the subject with speclai
reference to New-York States own preserves,
and the duty has been performed In an admi-
rable manner. No one who reads the document
can fail to be impressed with the clearness,
breadth and force with which the matter Is
handled.
In most cases the only damage done by forest
fires is TO the timber itself. Even this amounted
to about 100000 In the Adlrondacks last
May, to say nothing of an expenditure OF $780,
600 for fighting the flames. less frequent but
more lamentahe consequence Of these outbreaks
is loss of life. Five hundred persons persisted
at Hinckley, Mimi, In 1894 IN this way. and
about one thousand IN Wisconsin in 1871. The
fires in New-York State last spring had no such
tragic accompaniment, but there are possibili-
ties which should not be ignored. Many thou
sand summer visitors go there and to the Cats
kills every year From the North Woods In
particular the avenues OF escape are few long
and tortuous Had the great condagra ton OF
1903 occurred three months later than II did
an unprecedented sacrifice of human life might
have resulted. Still another danger-one which
has boon less distinctly foreseen, but which
should be guarded against--is pointed out IN the
report Just mentioned. On many OF the sleeper
slopes IN the Adirondacks the burning Of the
old growth has not been followed by new
enc. An increasing number OF unsightiy patches
is thereby caused. Let that influence continue
to operate, and the mountains Will lose their
beauty-a calamity that would be felt by the
whole country. and not merely by limited To-
esIIty Denudation aight also affect the streams
which rise IN the Adirondacks. and on which
industry relies fer power. Even the question
Of water supply for remote cities may be more
closely related to the occurrence OF forest fires
than IL generally appreciated
A great deal has been heard Of late about the
feasibility of limiting the effect of fires in the
woods by laying out broad paths or rides"
which intersect one another at suitable intervals
like city streets The system is in vogue In
Europe. but is only applicable to comparatively
level districts In n region whose surface is so
irregular as that of the Adirondacks. the Beard
OF Trade committee deems It impracricable
Another dra wbacl to the adoption of that plan
is that the States own preserves are not massed
in a single area. some of them being almost or
quite surrounded by the property OF individuals
or clubs or corporations There may be parts
Of the country where the employment of such
lanes would be judicious. but typographical con-
siderahons discourage their use In Northern
New-York.
Nevertheless. the committee is able to make
four recommends tons for the promotion of the
object in view, and 1t expresses the hope that
these viii be enacted into laws. 1t would have
the States property polced by IRE wardens or
rangers in the season when fires may be antici-