FOREST COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 



FOREST FIRES OF 1908. 



Not for many years have the conditions of the forests been 

 so favorable for starting fires, as during the season of 1908, 

 which will go down in history as the driest year of modern 

 times. The dry season began early in May and extended until 

 October 27, during which period there was not more than three 

 weeks when forest fires would not run. 



The greatest precaution was used by the Forestry Depart- 

 ment, the forest fire lookout stations on the tops of several of 

 the highest mountains in the State were manned early in the 

 season, and the equipment put in good working order. The 

 force of 200 or more wardens was put at work, or at least 

 instructed to keep in readiness for work in case a fire should 

 break out. Whenever it was deemed necessary additional war- 

 dens were appointed and mien pressed into service. 



The chief wardens had their instructions to keep the closest 

 watch of the situation and to act at once, and no time was lost 

 in getting the forest fire service in good working order. The 

 position of chief warden requires men of business ability and 

 good judgment and Maine has been fortunate in having men of 

 that stamp to fill the places, men who have accepted the posi- 

 tions, not from what there was in it from a financial standpoint, 

 but for the good of the cause and to save the forests. Num- 

 bered among our chief wardens are men who have the greatest 

 interest in forest protection, have labored for weeks during the 

 long and trying period of drought and have not collected or 

 asked one cent for their services. It is to such men as these 

 coupled with the excellent service of most of the deputy wardens 

 that has aided to a great extent in the success of the service 

 which will never be given a harder test than in 1908. 



