FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 33 



fighting fire. Hence the expense for labor was something over $3,000, of wliich the 

 State refunds one-half. 



In reviewing the work of the firewardens the most encouraging feature is the 

 very large number of incipient fires which were promptly extinguished, and which in 

 former years would have resulted in destructive conflagrations. For instance, in the 

 town of Johnsburg, Warren County, the firewarden, Mr. William Merrill, reported 

 27 fires, each of which was extinguished so promptly that no damage to the forest 

 occurred. 



Of the 130 forest towns in tlie Adirondack and Catskill regions, fires occurred in 

 "I of them. That the total damage from these fires amounts to only $2,835 speaks 

 well for the efficiency of the force. This matter would be better understood if one 

 were to make a study of the numerous fires in other States, as recorded almost daily 

 in the public press, and note the large amount of damage to forest property caused 

 by them. 



Believing that the firewardens would attain greater efficiency if they had some 

 more definite knowledge as to their duties, a printed circular containing full instruc- 

 tions was sent to each one. The text of this circular is of interest to all owners of 

 woodlands, and copies can be had on application to tlie office of the Commission. 



While on this matter I would respectfully call the attention of your Honorable 

 Board to the active and efficient work done by Mr. Lester S. Emmons, the Chief 

 Firewarden. He has been busily employed during the whole year in the work of 

 organizing the large force under his control, which, counting both town and district 

 firewardens, numbers 617 men. Whenever the evidence would permit he has 

 proinptly instituted prosecutions and collected penalties for violations of the State 

 Fire Law, his efforts having conduced materially to suppress the carelessness and 

 lawlessness which hitheito have been the cause of so much evil in this respect. He 

 has carefully examined all the bills for fighting fire as sent in by the various towns, 

 one-half of which is a charge against the State, and as a result there are fewer items 

 for doubtful services. He has attended to the printing and distribution of 7,00c 

 placards relating to the use of fire in our forests. During the year he visited per- 

 sonally 97 towns, and in the discharge of his duties traveled 11,016 miles. 

 3 



