Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-03
GUCE MAINE FOREST FIRE LOSS
4 " OBSERVING GREATER CAUTION
WHEN TAKING HOLIDAY IN WOODS
rfdeth Anniversary of Federal Governments
First Steps in Forestry Should be Com
memorated by Maine People in Pro-
So tecting Their Forests From An
81 nual Losses Through Fires

The year 1926 is important in the history of Amer
faestry because it marks the completion of SO years
- the United States Government took the first step in for
r Since that time many state governments have inaugu-
L forestry service and not afew of the big of tim
% like the Great Northern Paper Co. and others our
m state have entered the field to help in the great move
| Inf TO save the American forests.
To be the United States Government allows certain
n cutting under proper restrictions in it's forest
~ the State of Maine does endeavor stop the cut
timber growth but does take steps to protect the for
M from fire and disease and the great timber owning
use carefully studied plans for cutting off their trees
fiat there may be left for future growth All three of
these important agencies encourage reforestation and all
Ane are united in the work of fighting the forest fire men,
ace which tremendous losses throughout country
every year and most of them needless.
one could have what timber is destroyed annually BY
forest fires he would find that he had staggering amount at
his command that his holdings worth big figures YET
this loss is occasoned with hardly thought by the
dnary individual who has not made study of these things
and who does not appreciate what these losses mean.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fine trees
year. not only losing to the states in which they
located the value of those trees converted into lumber
but burning the land completely that for nearly
fury the growth upon it will not be sufficient to make it worth
owning But this is not ALL especially far Maine is
nd for these forest trees have value in addition to their
price the timber markets of the world Everyone knows
that with all of the publicity which is being given this state
thousands of tourists are to be attracted here and those
who know the tourists know that Names green clad hills
the attractions which brings them here Go where you
will into the mountains along lakes and river to the
and is the trees which add that touch of nature
which make of Names greatest charms Vacation
land Those rock Scared hills those barren mountain Sides
where forest fires have worked havoc certainly do not appeal
the native the tourist vet much of that damage has
been done bv forest fires started by careless human hands, by
persons with little thought of The damage that they
ing care'essv tossed aside lighted cigar cigarette
|
eme all of these contributory to this great
imal loss
The time has come when the people of Maine should make
m their minds that there has been enough of this costly care
kness Why when the State and Federal governments
spending the of the taxpayers to fight insect pests and
tree diseases that forests be protected should the
pie who go into the forest show so little heed that thousands
dollars worth of damage is done every year? Certainly
there nothing to Justify them in this neglect to take proper
Precautions to see that they not causing fires.
this year of 1926 marking the fteth anniversary Of
the FIST stems taken bv the United States Government to-
ward improving forestry conditions should not everyone
make up his her mind that the forest fire in Maine
shall he reduced to minimum 1t be done and simply by
the use of little caution when enjoying the
beauties of the woods which by little heedlessness you
are 81 likely to DESTROY
Remember the is not far distant when the
snow will be gone when yon and others like you will be want
ING to t hack to and when the forests of Maine
Will the Mecca toward which many will be turning. Be one
the people of Maine who's year. at least will do your bit
hp preserve states forests from fires and to help
Keen them for the present and future generations