Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-07-12
The New Forest Fire Law.

The Forest Fire law, which was passed
at the last session OF the New Jersey Legis-
lature at the instance Of the State Forestry
Commission, becomes operative on July 4th.
The law provides that she township Com
mittees OF such townships as may be selects
ed by the Forestry Commission shall
appoint Township Fire Wardens to serve
for the term Of one year. The Forestry
Commission, at recent meeting, decided to
require the appointment OF wardens in
townships containing about four Thousand
acres of woodland. Under that rule there
are in this county some townships TO which
she law will be applied. The commission
has had printed for public distribution a
number Of copies of the Fire Law, together
with an appeal to the citizens OF New
Jersey to work for the prosecution of our fast
disappearing woods. These pamphlets can
be secured without coss by applying to the
Secretary, William IL. CHEW, Camden, N.
J.
AS matter Of general interest,", we quote
from portion Of the pamphlet:
San investigation OF forest fires in New
Jersey has revealed the fact that many
citizens Of the State take little interest in
preventing the ravages Of this destructive
agency, or, at least, do not become active
in extinguishing such fires until they have
wrought appalling damage. With the ex-
ception of fires started by railroad locomo-
tives, forest fire in practically every case
is caused by some careless man. In other
words, it is nearly always due to human
agency. There is no good reason why this
EVIL should continue; for if everyone that
lives in the woods, or goes into them, would
be careful and honest there would be many
less forest fires.
ITO this end therefore, an urgent appeal
is made 80 every good, law abiding Citizen
to do what he can TO educate his thoughts
less neighbors in this important matter
until better condition OF affairs prevails.
1.-THE law places certain restrictions on
the burning OF brush, &c. These restrio-
tions have been made necessary because
such fires have frequently been she direct
cause Of costly forest trees. 1t will not be
difficult TO obtain a permit for burning
brush, ETC. from the township fire wardens,
bub it should be borne in mind that the
mere possession of such permit does not
relieve the holder Of it from the consequent
ces should he allow his fire TO endanger any
other property. The permit will simply
make the ordinary man more careful, and
prevent the irresponsible from causing end
less damage.
1.-The owners Of woodland property are
frequently important taxpayers in many
townships, but, unlike property owners
elsewhere, they can get no insurance on
their holdings. The result is that fire
comes along and sweeps away the value
OF their woods, causing loss not only &c
the owners but to the townships as we'll. Il
requires no argument, then, to demonstrate
that little effective protection from fire
would be a wise Investment, especially
since one-half of the cost of such protection
comes from the state under the new Forest
Fire law. In view of these facts, the town
ships in which fire wardens are appointed
should, in the interests of their taxpayers,
hear5ily cooperate with the State in max
ing this law effectual
As an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound OF cure, so is careful watch which
prevents fires in the woods worth days Of
labor and expense in putting out fire that
has been allowed to gain Roadway. Bear
in mind, then, that the people of the town
ships have it in their power to solve the
fire problem and save themselves much ex-
pense by the exercise Of care and watch
fulness.