The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-02-19
DAMAGE BY FOREST FIRES
IN MARYLAND
Forest Wardens Establish Fine
Record In Stopping
1886 Blazes

According to the annual
statistical report of the State
Department of Forestry, 1886
forest fires burned in Maryland
during 1881 damaging z8,52b
acres of woodland at an estl-
mated loss OF $1O0,314.96.
In explaining the figures.
Assistant Forester Walter J..
Quick, Jr., in charge Of Mary
land forest protection, TO-DAY
stated, "The 1896 fires indical-
es a decidedly heavy fire year
although much less serious
than the unprecedented forest
fire calamities of 1880. This is,
however, over two-thirds more
fires than were reported in
1928, in which year 634 fires
constituted the greatest number
to have been recorded previous
to 1880. The fire conditions for
1881 were most unusual due
to a continuation Of the
drought conditions Of 1880 into
the early months Of 1881. When
weather conditions are normal,
forest fires seldom occur' i'll
Maryland during January, Feb
uary, or the first ten days Of
March. During this period in
1881, 172 fires occurred, elnpha-
sizing the lingering enectsI Of
the drought. The remainder OF
the year had normal fire con-
dltions except for an especially
severe ten Gay period ABOUT the
middle OF AprlI and unexnect-
edly dense fogs ana heavy dews
winch were beneficial during
the fall, although a handicap to
|prompt discovery. Contrary to
Cne usual experience OF the past
few years a ten Gay or longer
period of fires in late summer
uld not occur. FAN tire condi-
lions terminated about Decem-
per Z although scattering fires
reappeared throughout the
State after thot date, due to the
warm, open winter.
line A8,525 acres burned in
1881 is not an excessive acreage
in consideration OF the large
number OF tlres," continued the
Assist. Forester. '"rne acre.
age compares encouragingiy
with the 1922 acres burned W.
$50 fires in 1929, and the 3z,v14
acres burned by 654 fires III
1928. The comparatively small
area OF 2,747 acres burned i'll
the fall 1ndlcates the ease OF fire
control during the latter part
OF the year.
cine size of the average fire
for the year can usua4ly De
looked upon as an Indicator OF
nre tightlng etticinecy," oDserv-
ed Assistant QUICK. THE
forest Wardens OF Maryland
have done an extremely line JoD
IN establishing an everage nre
OF III acres for 1881, which is d
better efficiency rating than
that established in any year
during the past ten year PERIOD,
with the exception Oh 1875,
which was a very tavoraDle
year. An average fire OF ~
acres was secured IN 1877.
but there were only z27 nres
course was extremely favorable
to efficient fire control. In view
OF the much more severe con-
ditions and the large number
OF fires in 1881, the average OF
III acres is considered a worth
while accomplishment.
Prince Georges County had
greatest number of fires, Win
IS1. Other counties with large
number OF fires are as follows,
Allegany, 142: Garrett, 1873;
Anne arundel, III; and Bal
tlmore ana Cecil, each 90. All
other counties had less than bU
fires. Calvert County had only
one lire which burned one acre.
Queen Anne County Jared some
what worse with Two fires tnat
burned lao acres. There were
no counties without any forest
fires"
In commenting upon the rec
ord established Tor 1881, State
Forester F. w. Besley pointed
out that the State Department
OF Forestry is striving 10 reduce
the acreage burned in one year
to lilo or per centof the for
est area of the State. Mr.. Besley
explained that, During 1881
the acreage burned amounted