No. 4.] REPORT OF STATE FORESTER. 221 



The total iiuiiilK'r of forest and grass fires reported to the 

 State Forester during the year was, 1,531; the number of acres 

 burned over, 42,808; loss to the State, $230,478. 



From the table it is shown that the chief cause of forest fires 

 is from railroad locomotives, which set 497, or 34 per cent, of 

 the total of the year, compared with 490 last year. Next in 

 ])oint of number are fires from unknown causes, 360. The 

 third largest cause is due to burning brush, 108, or 71/0 per cent, 

 of the total. The fourth in number is that caused by smokers, 

 90. It is believed, however, that in the latter should be in- 

 cluded the great number of those listed under the unknown, 

 and even some of those attributed to other causes. The fifth 

 cause was directly traceable to our juvenile population, as 83 

 were known to be set by boys. 



It is hoped that our railroads will exert themselves to lessen 

 these fires in the coming year. We certainly should ascertain 

 the causes unknown at present, and, with our permit law in 

 force, the burning brush cases should be very much reduced ; 

 while the number of fires caused by smokers and boys will be 

 overcome only by a determination to place the responsibility 

 where it belongs by our forest wardens, deputies and people 

 generally interested in preserving our forests. 



Fires from Smoking. 

 That the careless smoker, who persists in the habit when in 

 woodlands or traversing the country during a dry time, whether 

 at work or play, is the greatest menace to future forestry, it is 

 believed there is little question. The railroad fires are con- 

 fined to certain areas, but the smoker is everywhere. If forest 

 wardens or their deputies were to bring more circumstantial 

 evidence to bear against smokers from known locations where 

 hunters, fishermen, campers, woodsmen, etc., have traversed, it 

 is believed the effect of the law which makes such persons 

 liable for damages would prove helpful to future forestry. 



