EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT 



Chief Fire Warden 



OR NIINNESOTA. 



Wet weather in the summer and autumn of 1902 

 was favorable for the prevention of forest fires, and but 

 few occurred. Dry and dangerous weather, however, 

 prevailed in the northern part of the state in April and 

 May, and most of the fires which were reported 

 occurred in those months. The number of forest fires 

 reported — and mostly on brush and cut-over land — was 

 34; estimated number of acres burned over, 18,285; 

 damage, 13,820. 



Number of prairie (and field) fires reported, 46; esti- 

 mated number of acres burned over, 31,928; damage, 

 $12,318. 



Extracts from the reports of fire wardens, printed 

 below, show that in a number of cases serious damage 

 was prevented by the prompt service of fire wardens 

 and their helpers. I believe it can be truly said that 

 each year shows increased attention on the part of fire 

 wardens to their duties. These officers are town super- 

 visors, elected the second Tuesday of March, and many 

 of them each year are new to the work. 



