FIREWARDEN'S REPORT. 59 



ARE ROADS A WOODLAND MENACE OR PROTECTION ? 



As has been already indicated (see p. 29), probably a larger 

 proportion of the fires than appears on the surface may be 

 traced to traffic along the roads traversing the forested sections. 

 The increasing tendency to rapid transportation and the con- 

 tinual extension of improved roads adds to this danger each 

 year. Carelessness with matches and smoking materials is pro- 

 verbial, and that portion of the forest affected by the road menace 

 is peculiarly exposed to the starting of fires by these agencies. 

 That a road in the condition indicated in Figure 8 is a natural 

 fire trap needs no argument, nor is the area shown there an 

 exaggeration of conditions that are very general in all the 

 wooded sections. 



Aside from its value in curtailing the fires started, a properly 

 or even reasonably well-cared- for roadside affords in many in- 

 stances the only secure line of attack in fighting an advancing 

 fre. That many roads are needlessly neglected, and that thereby 

 tie efficiency of the fighters' service is curtailed, if not cut off, 

 is evidenced by constant comment from the wardens, of which 

 tin following is typical : "We could have put it out in shorter 

 tine, but the roads were grown up and we were unable to back 

 fire" See Figs. 8, 9. 



Fres started along a road cannot be traced to those responsible 

 except under peculiarly fortunate circumstances. To control' 

 them therefore, we must rely entirely upon a gradual improve- 

 ment in the carefulness of the public in such situations and on' 

 the preparation of the roads to obviate their tendency to spread 

 a fire. 



A lav (Chapter 98, Laws of 1900) now stands upon the 

 statutes which gives the townships ample authority to keep their 

 roads in a safe state, but the movement must come through the 

 go vernim bodies of the townships. Some few, though a deplor- 

 able minoity, are already alive to the opportunity offered by this 

 law and at^ requiring its application in their territory. 



That thetax now levied upon some townships for fire righting 

 would in a few years be sufficiently reduced by proper care of 

 the roads to Compensate for the expense put into this work may 



