The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1932-06-10
SEASON FOR FOREST FIRES
CLOSES
Fires Continue - Threat OF
Summer Fires Becomes Real

Summer Fires Becomes Real
Maryland's spring forest fire
season officially terminates on
May Is, when observation tow
ers usually close for the sum-
mer and forest guards must
seek other employment. The
State FOrester's office ANNOUNCE
ed that forest fire conditions in
Western Maryland are still
critical because of the absence
of the usual abundant green
growth which has been retard-
ed by scanty rainfall.
Humid conditions in the
eastern part of the State per-
mitted the scheduled closing of
forest fire towers on the East
ern shore and in the coastal
areas adjacent to Baltimore.
Anne Arundel and Prince
Georges Counties towers clos
ed on May Is, while Eastern
Shore towers at Nassawango,
Quantico and Interstate closed
on May 20. Serious fire men
ace continues in the mountains
making operation of Allegany
and Garrett Counties towers
necessary. Large and threat
ening mountain fires confirm
the danger of a real summer
drought as forecast by John r.
Weeks, Baltimore's weather
specialist.
In summarizing the forest
fire conditions, State Forester
F. w. Besley observed that dry
conditions are increasing the
threat of summer forest fires in
central and eastern Maryland.
pointing to the possible neces-
sity of reopening some of the
towers. A 300-acre fire that
burned near Whitemarsh, Bal
t1more County, on June i, was
declared under control, but
deep trenching and retention
OF patrolmen on the fire line
was necessary in preventing
the dried out forest litter from
reminding. Mr.. Besley said
that forest fires in summer are
quite unusual in Maryland, the
serious summer fires OF 1880
being the first of any import
ance to appear in the fire
records.
Instead of conditions abating
about the middle of MAY in
Maryland's mountains, serious
fires burned as late as MAY 24
and rs. The largest fire of the
year burned 900 acres on
Marsh Hill, Garrett County.
Dlackening the slopes near the
beautiful Deep Creek Lake.
Maryland's only mountain lake
area. At the same time fires
LOO acres in size, ragged or
Shaggy Mountain and Dunkard
Lick, severely taxing the. Gar
rett County control forces.
The last day of spring featured
a threatening blaze on Green
Kldge, Allegany County, on
lands now under purchase by
the State for a forest preserve
Aggressive effort averted a real
forest catastrophe.
According to State Forester
Besley, the prospect of any
considerable number of sum-
mer fires is viewed with genu-
Inc regret because summer
nres are always difficult to con-
troll. They invariably burn
deeply, requiring expensive
methods to retain fire lines and
green growth results in heavy
smoke which hinders effective
fire attack. Summer tempera-
lures frequently severely tax
the strength of the fire fight .rs
resulting in heat prostratlons.
Mr.. Besley seemed confident
that Maryland's 1900 register
ed fire fighters would remain
loyal regardless of the severity
OF conditions, but he expressed
the hope that the pubic will
refrain from dangerous prac-
tees with fire during the pres
ent hazardous conditions. He
said that State funds for fire
control are fully obligated by
present accounts, and that any
appreciable number Of summer
fires will be likely to emharrass
the States financial standing.
Care with fire can do much to
lower State expenses in line
with present economy de-
mands.