FOREST FIRES 



CAN FOREST FIRES BE SUPPRESSED? 



That forest fires can be successfully combated is shown 

 by the experience of foreign countries, the United States 

 Forest Keserves, and other States. 



In 7,000,000 acres in Prussia where there are extensive 

 areas of dry, sandy, pine woods, which make the danger from 

 fire very great, during 25 years (1868-1895) only 1,400 

 acres, or two one-hundredths (0.02) of one per cent, were 

 burned over on the average per year. In Bavaria during 

 five years (1877-1881) only seven one-thousandths (0.007) of 

 one per cent were burned over.* 



In the United States forest reserves the area burned over 

 annually has been reduced from sixty-six hundredths (0.66) 

 of one per cent to sixteen hundredths (0.16) of one per cent 

 since the reserves have been under the federal forest service. 



In the State of Minnesota the average area burned over in 

 five years (1900-1904, inclusive) has been 58,741 acres a 

 year, out of a total woodland area of 31,000,000 acres. The 

 average loss as measured in money was $49,860 out of a 

 total valuation of $100,000,000.f These figures are all the 

 more impressive when it is borne in mind that the soil con- 

 ditions over extensive areas in Minnesota are very conducive 

 to the ignition and spread of forest fires. Moreover, there 

 are 7,467 % miles of steam railroad in the state and the pres- 

 ence of railroads is usually regarded as likely to increase 

 the liability to fire. 



These facts show that forest fires can be suppressed and 

 that the resultant losses can be avoided. 



A COMPARISON 



That the present system of dealing with forest fires in 

 Massachusetts is far below the standard of efficiency is 

 clearly shown by the following comparison: 



* Fernow's " Economics of Forestry " p. 137. 



t Minnesota Forest Fire Warden's reports, 1900-1904. 



J Report of Minnesota Railroad Commissioners for 1905, p. 5. 



