REPORT OF WASHINGTON FOREST FIRE ASSOCIATION Three 



Report of the President 



To the Members of the Washington Forest Fire Association: 



The very complete reports submitted herewith by the Secretary 

 of the Association and by the Chief Fire Warden of the Association, 

 cover the activities for the year 1917 so fully that additional com- 

 ments seem unnecessary. 



It is with much satisfaction, however, that I can report that the 

 laws of the State of Washington now make it necessary for every 

 timber land owner to take part in the expense of forest fire pro- 

 tection, and this puts in the hands of the State Forester more funds 

 than were available for the patrol and safeguarding of timber in the 

 state. It is a matter of added congratulation that both the federal 

 and state authorities are working very harmoniously with our Asso- 

 ciation in all the details of fire patrol and fire protection. 



The record for the year 1917 was remarkably good, considering 

 the fact that the summer months were probably the driest that the 

 state has had for the past fifteen years. Every year, however, adds 

 to the hazard that surrounds the forests, for there is now being cut 

 annually over 100,000 acres of timber land and the debris that is left 

 behind in the cutting of timber is a continual and an increasing menace 

 and nothing but the most careful handling of the situation would pre- 

 vent disastrous fires. 



The public at large are showing more and more interest in forest 

 protection and there is no dissenting voice raised in opposition to the 

 methods that are adopted to protect the forests. 



Respectfully submitted, 



GEO. S. LONG, President. 



