CHIEF FIRE WARDEN. 25 



September 28th at one p. m. a fire, originating on sec- 

 tion 33, occupied by M. Victor, and caused by burning a 

 straw stack the previous day, spread over 120 acres of 

 stubble and prairie ; destroyed 1 5 stacks of grain. Dam- 

 age #500. The fire was extinguished in two hours by 

 plowing and pounding with sacks. Weather dry for one 

 day. Party who set the fire is willing and able to settle 

 for the whole loss. 



E. O. Helgemo, chairman, town of Norman, Nov. 24: 



On the 2ist instant a fire on section 7, caused by some 

 party driving in lumber wagon (we have been tracing the 

 track but have not found the party yet) burned over 170 

 acres of prairie and meadow and destroyed 50 tons of 

 hay; damage $50. It was extinguished in four hours by 

 fifteen persons; by using breaking plow and furrow, where 

 we could, and wet rags. 



The Barbarism of Forest Fires. 



The forest fires that have occurred in this state in the 

 last eight years have generally done more damage by 

 burning hay, and wood that would be valuable for 

 fuel, than in the destruction of timber. Such fires often 

 run for many miles, following meadows, and there have 

 been many cases where all forage of the poor settler has 

 been destroyed, making it necessary for such settler to 

 dispose of his only cow, the means of sustenance for his 

 children through winter. Not unfrequently all the mem- 

 bers of the family have to turn out and work with all 

 their might to save their humble home from the flames. 

 The prevalence of fires, at night especially, are a source 

 of great terror to families in scattered settlements thus 

 exposed. To see a mother flying with her children from 

 such a danger is pathetic. The most dangerous fires 

 are caused by the inexcusably negligent habit of setting 

 fire to clear land in dry and dangerous weather and let- 



