CANADIAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 113 



FOREST FIEES OF 1903. 

 (Prepared ~by instruction of the Canadian Forestry Association.) 



The year 1903 was remarkable for the long dry period of the spring and early 

 summer and as a consequence the forest fires were numerous. This condition pre- 

 vailed to a greater or less extent over the whole of Canada and a large part of the 

 United States, and timber lands suffered severely on both sides of the international 

 boundary. In Canada the smoke became so dense as to invade the cities and at times 

 to interfere with navigation on the St. Lawrence river and the lower lakes. The 

 destruction of timber was considerable though where a properly organizd staff of 

 forest rangers were employed it is remarkable that the loss was so small in view of the 

 great number- of fires that took place. Fires occurred most frequently and persistently 

 in settled districts and the losses to farmers were in many cases severe. It would seem 

 that experiences of this nature Eave little effect on the actions of the general com- 

 munity, and more energetic steps should be taken to educate the public to a proper 

 sense of the dangers which such periods of drought occasion. If public opinion were 

 properly aroused in such districts and an effective plan of organization worked out 

 through the municipalities or otherwise the careless man would not be allowed the 

 opportunity of endangering his own property and that of others at seasons when, as 

 was the case last spring, the placing out of fires was simply an invitation to destruc- 

 tion. The fire-ranging system for the timber districts is a success, but for the de- 

 batable land where settlements and the woods come into contact there is yet room both 

 for legislative and educational effort before the situation is adequately dealt with, and 

 the question is deserving of serious study. 



NOVA SCOTIA. 



The Province of Nova Scotia suffered severely during the year 1903, and it is not 

 to be wondered at that the movement for an organized system of protection grew so 

 strong that it could not be satisfied until definite action was taken. The fires occurred 

 mainly during the dry spell in the spring and early summer. The reports as to the 

 extent and amount of the damage done vary greatly, owing to the feet that in most 

 cases only a cursory survey of the burned areas was made. After considering all re- 

 ports and making necessary allowances, a general estimate is reached that at least 

 200,000 acres of forest land have been more or less injured by forest fires during the 

 year 1903, the total value of the present loss being placed at $2,000,000, with the pros- 

 pective loss incapable of estimation. This estimate as to area is certainly conservative, 

 and it might perhaps be placed at a figure nearer 300,000 acres, but after making such 

 deductions as may be necessary for lands that did 'not carry timber of value, the 

 amount stated as the loss in value may be taken as approximately correct. 



The western part of the province had many severe fires. In the county of Yar- 

 mouth 50,000 acres is estimated for the burned area, in Shelburne 15,000 acres, in 

 Digby and Annapolis 50,000 acres, in Queen's and West Lunenburg 30,000 acres, in 

 East Lunenburg 12,000 acres, and in King's 25,000 acres. This constitutes one of the 

 chief lumbering districts of Nova Scotia and the loss to the lumbermen has been 

 serious. At a meeting of the lumbermen of this district held at Annapolis Royal on 

 December 3, 1903, the question was thoroughly discussed, and it was decided that 

 legislative action to combat the serious situation that threatened the lumber industry 

 should be asked. The causes of fire were given as the burning of blueberry lands, 

 meadows and cattle ranges, fires of river drivers and hunters. One person gave the 

 loss in Digby and Annapolis counties as $100,000, and went on to say : 



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