Forest Fires axd their Preventiox. 25 



The actual work of protection is put in the hands of a committee which 

 hires patrohnen and fire fighters and incurs all other expenses necessary 

 to protect the territory from forest fires. In one of the most successful 

 of these Associations the patrol averages one man to sixteen thousand 

 acres, and although they have had some hazardous seasons their loss has 

 always been very small. It is figured that it is a better policy to main- 

 tain a close patrol to discover small fires when they first start than to 

 cut down the expense of the patrol, and then rely upon putting a large 

 force of men on to fight fire after it gets well started. The cost of this 

 association averages about three cents per acre per year, though on 

 account of a very exceptional season it went over that in 1910. The 

 total cost of the Washington Forest Fire iVssociation was 2.3 cents per 

 acre in 1910, and only 1.4 cents in 1909, though much more than the 

 acreage belonging to members Avas patrolled, in order to better protect 

 their own lands. 



]^ot only do these associations do their own protective work, but they 

 co-operate with the State and ISTational Governments in fire protection. 

 In ISTorth Carolina there is a large opening for this feature of their 

 work. The State has at present no fire-fighting force with which to 

 co-operate, but it is hoped that this will be provided for by the next 

 Legislature. The \J. S. Department of Agriculture, however, is anx- 

 ious to spend part of the amount provided for co-operation Avith States 

 by the Weeks bill in fire protection in Xorth Carolina. It Avas sug- 

 gested that the basis of such co-operation might be furnished by a 

 Forest ProtectiA'e Association Avorking through the State Geological and 

 Economic Survey. It has been decided, hoAA'ever, that this does not 

 come within the meaning of the Act. 



There are endless Avays in which the activities of such an Association 

 could Avork for the better protection and consequent enhancement in 

 value of our forests, and the timberland owners of the State are recom- 

 mended to look thoroughly into this question and, if possible, make trial 

 of this method of protection. 



state measures. 

 Present Laws. 

 In 1777 the General Assembly of North Carolina passed a statute 

 making it unlaAvful for any one to set fire to the Avoods, except it be his 

 OAvn property, and in that case not Avithout first giving tAA^o days notice 

 in AA'riting to adjoining pro])erty oAvners. After 13-4 years this laAv still 

 remains on our statute books, the best and practically the only laAv Ave 

 have on the subject. In its present form in The Revisal of 1905 it reads : 



