The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1912-02-08
FORESTRY BOARD
REDUCES FIRE LOSS

Prior to 1907 the statutes made II the
duty of the State Game and Forest
Warden TO enforce the laws of the
State of Oregon for the protection of
forests" However, the State Game
and Forest Wardens were appointed
solely because Of their knowledge and
interest in fish and game matters, and
naturally they devoted little ii any of
their time in enforcing the forest laws
then on the statutes. In 1907 the leg
islature passed law providing for a
State Board of Forestry, thus for the
first time giving the State an organi-
cation charged exclusively with the
administration of the forestry laws.
The two biennial reports of the Board,
covering the years t907-l9l0, show that
notwithstanding the meagre appropria-
tion of $3.50 per annum, great amount
Of good was accomplished. The activ-
tiles of the Board resulted in the ap-
pointment of hundreds of fire wardens
annually, In acquainting citizens with
the provisions of the forestry laws, and
in advocating in every way possible
the protection of our forests from fire.
The Importance of the forest re-
sources in connection with the indus
trial development of the State was
recognized when early in 1911 the pres.
ent forestry law was enacted by the
Twenty-siXth Legislative Assembly.
1t provides for the appointment of q
State Forester, and carries an appro
priation of $50, 900 for fire protection
and investigative work for the present
kt.pntal nnriO1 Tbara ara houpnvaw
number of provisions of the Law
which should be modified by amend
ment. so as to more fully meet the
conditions prevailing in this state
The proposed changes will be consid
cred in detail in the annual report fol-
the year 1912, with the intention OF
bringing the matter before the Twen.
ty-seventh Legislative Assembly.
The total number of fires reported or
public and private land in the State
was S42, of which 433 occurred within
the National Forests and 400 on private
holdings outside of the National For
ests.
The precipitation for the months OF
June. July and August was ID of ar
inch below the average for the last
four years and over half an inch less
than the normal for those months.
The one light rain on August 10, while
not reducing materially the fire hazard,
lead ranchers to start many slash fires,
thereby adding to the numerous small
fires reported during the latter part OF
August.
The loss of timber by fires during
the past season amounted to approx.
mately 4,622. 600 board feet which must
be considered insignificant when com.
pared TO the 1878, ,S4l, 900 board feet
damaged in 1910. In other words the
loss this year was less than five per
cent OF the loss during 1910. The
results secured this year were due
chiefly TO the greatly increased eff
cheney of the federal, state and private
organizations in fire patrol and fire
fighting work Hundreds of small fires
were extinguished before doing any
damage while large fires were fought
by adequate forces under experienced
supervision.
In great many instances il is ex-
tremely difficult to determine the cause
OF forest fires. Fires started by drop
ping burning matches or tobacco often
shoulder for several days before being
detected and all trace as to their origin
is lost.
Undoubtedly a large proportion Of