IIO NINTH REPORT OF THE 



There seems to be an impression on the part of some people that the efforts of 

 the firewardens were of little avail, and that the termination of the fires was due 

 solely to rain. This is an error to a great extent. The rain was certainly a great 

 blessing, but when it finally came, on June eleventh, the greater part of the fires 

 had been extinguished, or were under control, although the burned area in many 

 places was still smoking. By the phrase "under control" I mean that the 

 wardens had reported that these fires were completely corralled, and that a crew 

 was on watch to prevent any fresh outbreak. 



In many cases, as just stated, the flames were completely extinguished — the 

 one on Township 41, for instance, which occurred on State land in a heavily 

 timbered Spruce forest that had never been lumbered. In other places, where the 

 progress of the fire had been effectually stopped, the burned area continued to 

 smoke and smolder, owing to the extraordinary dry condition; but the ground 

 was closely guarded, and whenever there was any indication that the wind might 

 cause a fresh outbreak measures were taken to prevent it. 



A noticeable example of good work was seen at Fulton Chain Station, where 

 by judicious back-firing and effective work a general disaster was averted and the 

 village saved from destruction. Also on Township 28, Hamilton County, the lumber 

 crews, acting under the direction of Mr. John Anderson and the Chief Firewarden, 

 after working night and day, stopped a large fire that threatened at one time to 

 sweep over the entire town. Many other instances could be cited if necessary 

 where extensive and dangerous fires were fought to a standstill without the aid 

 of rainfall. 



Though they extinguished many fires new ones were starting continually, hence 

 the question may arise as to why this was permitted. But under the weather 

 conditions no earthly power or organization could prevent this evil when loco- 

 motives were daily kindling fires in the dry grass along the railroads, and wandering 

 fishermen were leaving their smudge and coffee fires burning in the woods uncared 

 for. The city of Chicago had a model fire department, but that did not prevent 

 the great catastrophe in 1871, when a large portion of the city was destroyed by 

 fire. And so the firewardens of Northern New York, energetic and efficient as 

 they are in fighting fire, have to work under discouraging conditions so long 

 as the railroads and careless natives are continually firing the woods. 



Every effort was made to enable the gangs to work to good advantage. The 

 best time to check a large fire is early in the morning — at daybreak — for the flames 

 die down in the night. The air then is cool and damp; there is little or no wind. 

 Where a fire occurred at any considerable distance from a camp or boarding- 



