Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-05-22
STATE HOUSE,
Com'r Ring Sends Fire
Notices to Se|ectmen.
Old Equipment Of the National
Guard Ordered In.
Corporation In Which Gardiner
Capital Is Invested.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Council
Tuesday, May 26, at 10 A. M.

FROM information given out at the
land office it is learned that special at
tention has been given to the town of
the State this spring by Forest Com
missioner Ring in the way of remind
| ing the selectiEen of their duty in
looking after forest fires.
While the wild lands and plantations
are under the control of the forest fire
| Wardens appointed by the forest com.
missioner, these wardens have no iur-
| iSdlctlon on incorporated towns Often
fires get started in the Incorporates,
| towns bordering on the wild lands and
| IN spreading across the lines into the
Wild lands much damage is done. Had
the seltctmen done their duty many
times such fires could have been con-
lined and stopped with little loss.
with a package of fire notices for
posting IN CONSPICUOUS places in each
town, the following letter is bcins.
sent
TO the Selectmen:
We respectfully call your attention
to Sections 81. s., SIS, SIS and 50 of the
Revised Statutes. The law provides
| that selcctmen shall be eX-of1icio forest
lire wardens. and it is peremptory
that they shall attend to all duties
| therein required
I'm many towns of the State forest
fires have occurred and much damage
has been done, and in some instances,
we are informed, because selectmen
nave failed to take action under the
law.
Under separate cover we are send
ing you a package of fire notices and
" hot
posted in accordance with the provi-
slons OF the law, a copy of which we
herewith enclose.
In carrying out the letter of the law
1t VIII tend to lessen the liability of
loss by fire to our forests and to sus-
tain the valuation of your town. More
fire notices Will be sent you at any
time they are needed and we will glad
~ do anything in our power to aid
| you further"
| At this season of the year when
| farmers are clearing their land masy
| complaints come to the State forestry
department, of parties who disregard
The provisions of Section 1G and II. of
the Revised Statutes. Section IL says:
"WhOeVer with intent to njure an
other, causes a fire to be kindled on
his, or another's land, whereby the
property of any other person is injured
or destroyed, shall be fined not less
than twenty nor more than one thouS-
and dollars, or imprisoned not less
than three months, nor more than
three years"
Section II reads: "WhOever for a
lawful purpose kindles Il fire on his
own land shall do 50 at suitable time
and in Il careful and prudent manner;
to any PERSON injured by his failure
to comply with this provision.'
Provision is thus made for clearing
land, but it must be done with the
safety Of adjoining property in mind.
More than 80 per cent. of forest fires
reported from incorporated towns is
caused by clearing land.
One danger to forest lands that has
been iessened by the constant warn
ings of the department, is noted in the
carefulness displayed by burners of
blue berry land knowing that the
land burned over at the proper time
increases the crop of blueberries it
has always been a great temptation
for the berry pickers to set fire to such
lands. irregardless of the surrounding
acres Of good timber has been burned
over from Just such fires, but the Wig
ilai;ce Of the forest fire wardens is
keeping the danger down to Il great
extent.
Announcement was made yesterday