The New York Forest Fire Law. 139 



brings up obstacles which any law could not cover as long as 

 there are careless and negligent people at liberty. 



The rules on the cloth notices urge the greatest care from 

 hunters, fishermen and others who travel in the woods. As said 

 before fires which burn over more than an acre must be reported 

 promptly to the Chief Firewarden, thus any violation ma}'- be 

 taken up and considered while there is still a chance to secure 

 evidence. There has been times in the past when wardens would 

 not report fires or report them as cause unknown in order to shield 

 a guilty party. But this has largely changed and wardens are 

 quite on the alert to fine a guilty party as they receive half of 

 the fine, but not exceeding fifty dollars in any one case. 



It is a noticeable fact in the northeastern and middle portion of 

 the state that burned areas are all, or nearly all, in the vicinity 

 of roads, settlements, or farms. The lumberman makes no fires, 

 simply makes everything ready for fires, as they do their work 

 in the winter time. The sooner the residents of the forest realize 

 that the preservation of the forest is their greatest welfare, the 

 sooner will the danger from fallow fires, smudges, camp fires, and 

 carelessness be reduced. Our fires are all caused by human 

 agencies, and if each person in the woods was placed under strict 

 surveillance as to the use of fire then the danger would be largely 

 reduced. The farmers, hunters, fishermen, campers, and last, 

 but not least the railroads burn our woods. 



— Clifford R. Pettis. 



