Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-23
By The Governor
A PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS. the towns villages and
Inner lands of the State are in great
aahgof from lire at the present time ow-
ing to the almost unprecedented dry
weather at this season of the year and
WHEREAS, our statutes contain the
following provisions, wisely enacted for
me protection of the lives and property
Whoever by himself. or by his SER
want, agent or guide, or as the servant
agent or guide of any other person. shall
pulid camp. cooking or other fire. or
use an abandoned camp, cooking or other
ire in or adjacent to any woods i'm this
state, shall, before leaving such fire
totally eXtinguish the same and upon
IaIiure TO do so such person shall be pun
l5hed by fine of fifty dollars -
seieetmen shall erect in a conspicu-
Gus place at the side of every highway
as they may deem proper. and at suita BILE
distances alongside the rivers and lakes
OF the State frequented by camping par
TIES, tourists, hunters and fishermen in
lhelr respective towns. notices in large
letters to be furnished by the forest com
missioner. substantially in the following
form: Camp fires must be totally extin-
snished before breaking camp. under pen
atty of not to exceed one months i'm
prisonment or one hundred dollars fine
or both as provided by law.
Forest Commissioner. The forest com
missioner shall furnish owners of wood
called upon so to do, notices of similar
tenor to he posted at the expense of
sdld owners upon their respective lands. =
sections IS and IS. Chapter 7, r. $
Whoever kindles fire on land not his
own, without consent of the owner. for
teIts ten dollars; If such fire spreads and
damages the property of others. ne Tor
feits not less than ten. nor more than
five hundred dollars. and In either case
lie shall stand committed until tine and
costs are paid. or he shall be imprisoned
not more than three years.
Whoever with intent to injure anoth-
er, causes a fire to be kindled on his own
or another,s land, whereby the property
of any other person is injured or de-
stroyed, shall be fined not less than
twenty. nor more than one thousand dol
lars. or imprisoned not less than three
months, nor more than three years
Whoever for a lawful purpose kindles
a fire on his own land. shall do SO at a
suitable time and in a careful and pru-
dent manner and is liable. in an action
on the case, to any person injured by MS
failexe to comply with this provision. -
Sections Is, 16 and II. Chapter Is. X. s
The State Forest Commissioner is using
every possible means for the, prevention
of fires and now has an organized force
of three hundred men employed as war
dens, lookout men and patrolmen. besides
a large force of emergency men. In
some sections of the State every avail
able man is engaged i'm connection with
this work. and the large fires are under
control. but Smouldering. and likely to
break out anew II vigilance is relaxed.
The ponds rivers and brooks are eX-
tremely low. we have had practically no
rain since last October. and none what
ever in the greater portion of the State
for twenty-eight days. These conditions.
with the unusually hot weather, make
the danger much greater than many of
our people realize.
Farmers and others should not build
brush fires, and in no case should fires
be built on grass or timber land. or on
the shores of lakes or streams while the
present conditions exist
| earnestly recommend that all of our
people. farmers. river drivers, railroad
crews, spotsmen and guides in patcular.
use the utmost precaution. It is of es-
pecial importance that municipal officers
post notices as required by law, and take
such other action as in their best iudg-
ment will secure the cooperation OF the
citizens in every way that will tend to
minimize the danger.
IL. s.
Given at the Executive Chamber, al
Augusta this twenty-second day OF
MAY in the year of our Lord one
thousand nine hundred and eleven
and of the Independence of the United
States of American the one hundred
and thirty ffth.
BY the Governor.
FREDERICK w. PLAISTED
Attest CYRUS w. DAVIS,
secretary of States.