FOREST COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 23 



liable, ill an action on the case, to any person injured by his failure to 

 comply with this provision." — Sections 15, 16 and 17, Chapter 28, R. S. 



The State Forest Commissioner is using every possible means for the 

 prevention of fires, and now has an organized force of three hundred 

 men employed as wardens, lookout men and patrolmen, besides a large 

 force of emergency men. In some sections of the state every available 

 man is engaged in connection with this work, and the large fires are 

 under control, but smouldering, and likely to break out anew if vigi- 

 lance is relaxed. The ponds, river and brooks are extremely low ; we 

 have had practically no rain since last October, and none whatever in. 

 the greater portion of the state for twenty-eight days. These condi- 

 tions, with the unusually hot weather, make the danger much greater 

 than many of our people realize. 



I THEREFORE earnestly recommend that all persons, river drivers, 

 railroad crews, sportsmen and guides in particular, use the utmost pre- 

 caution. Farmers and others should not build brush fires, and in no case 

 should fires be built on grass or timber land, or on the shores of 

 lakes or streams, while the present conditions exist. It is of especial 

 importance that municipal officers post notices as required by law, andl 

 take such other action as in their judginent will secure the co-operation 

 of the citizens in every way that will tend to minimize the danger. 



Given at the Executive Chamber, at Augusta, this 



twenty-second day of May, in tlie year of our Lord 



fL. S.J one thousand nine hundred and eleven, and of the 



Independence of the United States of America the 



one hundred and thirty-fifth. 



FREDERICK W. PLAISTED. 



By the (lOvernor, 

 Attest : 



CYRUS W. DxWIS. 

 Secretary of State. 



