Conservation Commission. S3 



Lightning, which was the cause of a large number of fires last 

 year, did not do as much damage this year. It is, of course, im- 

 possible to prevent the occurrence of fires from this source, but 

 any which start are quickly observed by the mountain stations. 



There is a gratifying decrease in the number of fires set by 

 berry pickers, or started maliciously by persons who desire to 

 avenge themselves for fancied wrongs. The indictment of two 

 or three persons for offenses of this character has had, we believe, 

 a salutary effect in preventing incendiary fires. 



Clearing Land. 



Prior to the passage of the Conservation Law the setting of 

 fires to clear land and burn brush in fire towns was restricted to 

 certain seasons of the year. During the fall and spring months, 

 fires could not be set for this purpose, and throughout the summer 

 season they could be set only under permits. Experience indicates 

 that the best results cannot be obtained under a law which attempts 

 to designate by date the exact period of the year during which 

 it will be safe to set fires, or which is based on the principle of 

 determining, in advance, the weather conditions. The Conserva- 

 tion Law provides that burning must not be done at any time of 

 the year except under a permit issued by a forest ranger; but, 

 on the other hand, such burning may be done during any season, 

 provided a permit is first secured. The rangers have been im- 

 pressed with a proper sense of responsibility for any and all 

 damage which may be caused by fires set under permits granted 

 by them. Fires which were reported as caused by setting fires to 

 clear land, or burning brush, were nearly all in violation of the 

 law, and reports have been transmitted to the Commission. 



Efficiency of Observation Stations. 



The fact that so many fires have burned over only small areas 

 is due to their being discovered promptly. These fires were dis- 

 covered by observers on mountain stations, and thus, by means 

 of this information and the telephone, we were able to get men 

 to the fires quickly. There are many cases which might be cited, 

 but the following is a good example: During the dry period of 

 July, about noon one Sunday, a fire was discovered by the observer 



