Losses Were $94,500. 



The losses so far this year have amounted to approximately 

 $94,500. The merchantable timber damaged has been esti- 

 mated at $19,000, the young growth or reproduction at $5,500 

 and the buildings, hay and property at $70,000. 



The property loss was particularly high due to the burn- 

 ing of several cedar yards. In one district alone the property 

 loss was more than $50,000. 



Although there were several big fires reported during the 

 month of June, the loses since May 1 have been very small, 

 so small that the peo-ple of Minnesota can go to the Thanks- 

 giving services and "render thanks" that the "Dragon of 

 the Woods" has not been out of his lair since April. If it 

 were not for that one month the losses this year would be 

 smaller than those of any previous year in the last ten. 



Last year the total number of fires was 345, the acreage 

 burned over, 18,927, and the total damage $22,754.91. The 

 figures for either of the last two years are most encouraging 

 when the tremendous losses of 1908 and 1910 are taken into 

 consideration. In 1908, 405,748 acres were burned over and 

 in 1910, 1,051,333 acres were burned. In 1909 the year be- 

 tween the acreage burned was 45,690. 



Forest Service Was "Ready." 



The most encouraging thing about the statistics for this 

 past year, figures that are now being prepared, is that the 

 forest service was "ready" when the dry season rolled around 

 and that despite the fact that fires were springing up on 

 every side the rangers were ready for them and were able 

 to down them. With 17 fires in one afternoon a ranger has 

 to keep his head with him. Those rangers whose districts 

 were infested with many fires during last spring are indeed 

 to be congratulated for the efficient work they accomplished 

 in keeping the losses down to the minimum. That the losses 

 were not much larger was due to the close guard kept by 

 the rangers. 



