CHIEF FIRE WARDEN. 5 



FOREST FIRES ELSEWHERE. 



Before referring to the situation in this state in respect 

 to fires, I would call to mind the excessive drouth, 

 attended with very destructive forest fires, which pre- 

 vailed in Oregon and Washington in the autumn of 1902, 

 and the similar condition in the eastern states and Lower 

 Canada in the spring and early summer of 1903. We 

 are liable any year to experience a similar drouth, and 

 should be prepared for it. 



FOREST FIRES IN MINNESOTA, 1903. 



Although wet weather prevailed during the latter part 

 of the summer and in the season of harvesting, there 

 were dry spells in the spring and late autumn. The 

 number of forest fires reported by fire wardens was 52, 

 which burned over an area of 15,585 acres and did dam- 

 age to the amount of 128,292. At 27 of these fires, being 

 a little more than half, a fire warden was present to assist 

 in extinguishing and controlling the fire. Of these fires 

 1 1 were caused by clearing land, 9 by railroad locomo- 

 tives, 7 from other known cause, and 25 originated from 

 cause unknown. 



The number of prairie fires reported was 35, which 

 burned over 26, 308 acres and did damage to the amount 

 of $4,666. At 14 of these fires a fire warden was present, 

 and assisted in extinguishing and controlling the same. 

 They were caused, 9 from burning brush, straw or stub- 

 ble, 4 by railroad locomotives, 3 by hunters, 6 from other 

 known cause and 13 from cause unknown. 



PROSECUTIONS. 



There were 8 prosecutions for causing forest and prairie 

 fires, and 4 convictions obtained. There is naturally 

 great reluctance on the part of fire wardens to prosecute 



