number of fires reported for each month is as follows: 

 January, 0; February, 1; March, 1; April, 6; .May. 

 31; June, 66; July, 145; August. 174; September, 

 168; October, 37; November, 8; December. 1. 



Wardens Do Good Work. 



The great difference between the number of fires 

 which occurred during September and the number 

 which occurred during October is rather remarkable. 

 During previous years October has been a particularly 

 Jjfc, dangerous month for the reason that the light rains 



which fall ordinarily during late September tempt the 

 people to burn brush and rubbish with little care. 

 During 1909 the rains which fell during the last half 

 of September were rather heavier than usual and 

 this partly explains the circumstance. But a still 

 more important factor is that the people burn brush 

 with more care than they used to. The numerous fin-- 

 wardens distributed over the State have had a most 

 salutary influence. They are for the most part men of 

 experience and discretion, and by knowing what pre- 

 cautions are necessary to insure safety in brush burn- 

 ing, and by insisting that these precautions be taken. 

 they have accomplished the very gratifying reduction 

 in the number of October fires. Only three fires set 

 under permit from firewardens escaped from control. 



Causes of Fires. 



In this connection it is interesting to note the 

 causes of forest fires. Two hundred and forty- five 

 were of unknown origin. The rest are grouped as 

 follows: Campers, 114; lightning, 74; engines. r>3 : 

 clearing land, 45 ; incendiary, 39 ; hunters, 21 ; blast- 

 ing, 9; smoking bees, 7; electric wires, 2. This classi- 

 fication is somewhat arbitrary and requires explana- 

 tion. Campers include hunters, fishermen, prospect- 

 ors, travelers in the mountains, and in general, all 

 who start forest fires carelessly. Most of them would 

 call themselves nature lovers, but their love of nature 

 is not strong enough to prompt them to be sure their 

 camp-fires are out, or to be careful of their matches 

 and tobacco. Hunters in the above classification differ 

 from campers in that they deliberately set fires to 



(4) 



