The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1930-10-10
RECENT FIRES SPREAD
DEVASTATION
Gunners, Mill Operators, And
Others Cautioned BY The
Forestry Department


The heavy toll exacted by forest
fires in Cecil and other Eastern Shore
Counties during the past few weeks
has led District Forester Kenneth j.
Seigworth in charge of the nine
Counties on the Shore to direct an
especial appeal through the press to
gunners, mill operators and brush
burners to use every precaution
during the present dry period.
Damage resulting fom flames
sweeping through 1,549 acres of
Cecil comfy woodlands amounted
to $1267 according to a compilation
made this week. During that period
the fighting Of So fires cost 81, 033. AZ.
This cost is borne equally by Cecil
County and the State of Maryland.
Records of the Forestry Depart
ment show IL of these fires to have
been caused by railroads, four came
from careless smoking, two were of
incendiary origin, two more came
from careless brush-burners, while
80 were caused by unknownagencies.
"The percentage of unknown
fires" stated Mr.. Seigworth, lis
higher in Cecil than in any other
county on the Shore"
1t is always with regret, according
to Mr.. Seigworth, that the State finds
itself obliged to prosecute careless
individuals responsible for fires, but
in view of the past seasons record
such action seems imperative. To
enable the District Forester to spend
more time in investigating the causes
of fires and in law enforcement
where necessary, the State this week
appointed John w. Jones, of near
Salisbury, as District Forest Warden.
Mr.. Jones will help in directing fire
fighting and in coordinating the ac-
tivities of Forest Wardens. He will
work chiefly in Dorchester, Somerset
Worcester and Wicomico Counties.
Mr.. Jones has been a Warden in
Wicomico for the past nine years.
Heretofore, Forest Wardens have
been loath to prosecute several care
less individuals. On the Shore, Mr..
Seigworth has some so cases under
investigation at the present time.
Probes indicate that squirrel hunters
have been the most serious offenders
during September.
Recent fires have proved to be the
most expensive and damaging of the
year. Forests generally are so dry
that the fire often burns to a depth
OF two feet. Such fires require a
great deal of trencing and patrol for
as much as two weeks even after the
main blaze has been controlled.
One fire near Sharptown, Wicom-
leo County, started by a careless
hunter on September 6 still requires
patrol. Nearly three miles of trench
ed line was constructed on this fire
which covered nearly 1900 acres.
Warden and their crews are guarding
these lines against further outbreaks.
AT one time 65 men under the direc-
ton of six wardens and the District
Forester were engaged on this fire.
Five bad fires were reported in
Worcester County last Saturday.
Several occurred near Westover,
Somerset County, two more near
Green Hill, and another on Sunday
west of Princess Anne.
In Talbot County, over three times
as many fires have been reported as
during any previous year.
Mr.. Robert C. Shippers, for the
past four year in charge of fire fight
ing in Cecil County has resigned from
the position of District Forest
Warden. He is being succeeded by
Nelson w. Morse of Hartford County.
Mr.. Morse will have charge of fire
fighting and coordinating the work
Of Eoract Wardanc in both Ho,,nf;ac