Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-14
Forest Fire Dancer,

Mir. Editor:-With the return of
 spring the danger from forest fires is again one of the most important prob lems of the woodland owner Not only is this a problem of the individ- ual directly concerned but it is also problem to which every citizen of the state ought to give his attention. The loss by forest fires not only af- fects the individual owners but also every tax payer in the state. A com parison of two woodlots, one burned and the other not burned, will show why every one is directly interested in the forest fire problem.
 Two woodlots just cut over are left to reproduce by sprouts,-one Is pro- tected from fire and the growth is very rapid with heavy leaf litter and humus on the ground. The species represented are the same as in the original stand. The poorer species and brush are choked out while only the more valuable species mature and eventually a crop of timber is cut
 Meantime the town has received taxes from this land, and at the time of cut ting number of men, are employed. thus increasing the amount of money in circulation, and eventually bringing returns to the owner to repay him for taxes and the interest on his invest ment in the land.
 The other woodlot had the same initial possibilities but a fire occurs the first summer, killing all the young sprouts. The stumps send out a small number of less vigorous shoots but these are also burned and only a. few of the fire resistant trees send out a third set of sprouts which are later killed by another fire. The ground on this tract is now bare both of humus and leaf litter to make humus The rains wash the surface and the sun oakeS it hard and dry. Weeds and herbs gradually cover the ground, and an occasional gray birch, poplar or other light seeded tree appears. This accumulation of light, infiammable ma ter1al increases the fire danger, and rarely a year passes without it's fire. This is the condition at the time the protected area is ready to cut. The burned land is lacking in plant food :: no growing stock and no income has been produced during the past years while artificial introduction of val uable species will be necessary before a crop of timber can be secured in the future
 The assessors place only a nominal value upon this land, but the owner mas to f1gure interest upon his original investment and pay such taxes as are required without getting any returns or prospect of returns in the future. Such pieces of waste land are a direct loss to all tax payers of the town as they reduce the producing area, and in HAAe"S Nc1y ISuQCG the RTanQ llST, All tax rates are based upon this grand list and approximately higher rate has to be paid by the producing area to offset the loss from non producing
 areas. Thus the community loses, as well as the individual
 Recognizing this to be a problem which interests the whole state a Forest Fire Warden system has been created with laws to restrain the ir- responsible and careless, and to pro- tect the owners of woodiots, The se- Iectmen of each town have to appoint d town fire warden subject to the ap- pfoVal of the State Forest Fire War deh The two wardens in turn ap- point men who live in the sections of the town where fire danger Is g%eat- est, to act as district waFdens Both the town Wardens and district war dens have power of summening such assistance of men, tools, and teams as is required to put out such fires. In this state the fire danger is great est in spring and fall, just when pee-
 Die are burning brush to clear the lahd or dispose of trash, Hunting,
 nshlng and picnic parties bring many people into the country and greatly Increase the danger of fires caused by earelsssnesa, In general the people rom the city are net careful te re- spect property rights of others. This Is due either to lack of knswiedse or
 because 6f lawiessRess. Fer exaHpie, smokers dc net take pains to extin- guIsh matches, cigars, cigarettes, and neels from pipes when tieFewn aa the ground: Fires are built upon land without securing the owners permis- sion and without clearing the 90 feet required by law. The number of fires from these causes is well shown by the great increase in fires on holidays such as Fast Day.
 Permits fer burning are reauired rom March Ia ta June and Septem-
 Der Is to November Ia, unless the fire Is on ple~ed land, a garden CT public highway at least 266 feet from woods or grassland This is to protect the woodland owner from the person who Is reckless or careless in burning brush and other trash. The permit is issued by the town or district warden upon request unless he deems the dan ger toe great, either because of high winds or excessive drought. 4 per- init does not exempt the holder from 1 liability for damage caused by the es- cape of a fire. Fire should only be started when sufficient help is present to keep it under control The burning of brush under permit helps the ward ems to keep a better watch for wild fires, as they are able 10 eliminate cer- tain smokes which are known to be carefully guarded fires for which per mits have been issued. The building of a fire upon public land, and land of rriyafa individual without