Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-07
TO PREVENT FOREST E,ees
Instructions Given by Forest Comm.
s'oner Ring, to Fir. Warden..

Aioii. Eusar T.. ring, forest commits
sioner. is sending out copies of the
forestry laws, relating to the prevan-
uon, control and extinguishment of for.
est fires in plantations and unoreanized
townships.
Included in the work are instructions
to fire wardens, which contain much
valuable advice. not only in the hand
ing of and prevention of fires in tho
larger forests, but in those nea-er
home. The text Of the Instructions ;s
as follows
An important part of practical for
estry is the prevention Of fire. This
cannot be accomplished successfully
without well organized force in
which the duties Of each individual are
well defined and clearly understood. To
this end the following Instructions
should receive careful attention.
1t is the duty of the chief fire warden
to see that the district fire wardens are
fully supplied with printed notices cor.
tanning the rules and regulations relat-
ing to the prevention of forest fires.
Early in the season fire notices arc
sent to all wardens but more can be
obtained at any time by writing to the
Forest Commissioner. The district fire
Wardens should see that their respec-
tive districts are properly posted with
these notices. putting them upon trees
along each forest trail and locations
frequented by fishing and hunting par
ties.
During the dry seasons when fires
are most likely to occur, especially in
spring before the trees are in leaf, the
chief fire wardens and their deputies
should keep a sharp lookout for any
sign of fire. and have everything in
readiness so that when the smoke is
seen there will be no unnecessary de-
lay in reaching the spot. Fishermen.
hunters and campers should always be
cautl0ned whenever the opportunity
Offers to be careful in the use of fire;
to refrain from throwing lighted
matches on the ground; and especially
to eXtinguish their camp fires COM
pletely before leaving them.
No instructions seem necessary here
as to how the work at a forest fire
should be conducted, for it is assumed
that each fire warden has had ample
experience in this respect. At the same
time it may be well to remind each one
to until it's necessity is plainly evident;
and even then. the entire situation
should be carefully examined and well
understood.
1t should be remembered, also, that
in controlling a woodland fire. one
hours work in the early morning or
late evening is worth six in
tine middle of the day. For this reason,
if a fire is not eXtingushed at evening,
the men should remain on the ground
all night, and the fire wardens should
make arrangements to send in food and
blankets to the party. If the men are
allowed to leave a fire at evening and
go back to their homes much valuable
time is lost.
Especial pains should be taken to as
certain the cause of the fire, and the
person or persons who started it. Too
many reports are received in which the
printed question as to the origin of the
fire is answered with the words, Cause
unknown. If attended to promptly,
there should be little trouble in ascer-
tanning the point at which the fire
started. and. in most cases. who started
it. The facts should then be written
out fully in the report, no matter whom
it may concern. Each fire warden
should discharge his duty fearlessly in
this respect, without fear or favor. If
the fire warden is unable to report
definitely as to who the guilty parties
were and their connection with it, he is
at liberty to give his opinion as to the
cause and who were to blame in the
matter.
In addition to answering fully
the printed questions in the re-
port. the fire warden should furnish
such further information as may not be
conveyed in the preceding answers. and
should take pains to include also every
thing that might relate directly or in
directly to the matter.
After a fire occurs the chief fire
warden should. as soon as possible mail
the report of the same to the Forest
Commissioner, using the printed form
furnished for this purpose. Before
sending the report he should make an
examination Of the burned area so that
he may be able to state approximately
the number of acres burnt over. the ex-
tent of the damages. the amount and
kind of timber dc strOyed.