22 Third Annual Report of the 



This great reduction in acreage burned, in damage, and in 

 cost, demonstrates the efficiency of the State's fire protective work, 

 and vindicates the observation station system, which, this year, 

 has withstood the supreme test. 



Of these 688 fires, only two were not speedily controlled. Of 

 these, the larger was in Essex county; it covered approximately 

 17,000 acres, was ten miles in width, but the damage was largely 

 confined to about three hundred and seventy-five acres of timber 

 land. This fire occurred in an old fire slash and so far as the 

 future is concerned, its effect has been to decrease greatly fire 

 danger in that locality. 



The State is greatly indebted for aid rendered* by United States 

 troops from the Plattsburg barracks, in fighting these fires, of 

 which indebtedness this Commission has already made public 

 acknowledgment. 



Fires Caused by Carelessness 



Fully 85 per cent, of all the forest fires during the last year 

 were preventable. One-third of them were caused by careless 

 handling of cigars, cigarettes and tobacco; another fifth by care- 

 lessness with camp-fires. 



Every lover of the out-of-doors should co-operate with this 

 Commission in its efforts, through a " campaign of education," 

 to put a stop to this wanton, wicked destruction of the " people's 

 playground." 



More rangers, the forests undoubtedly need; but fewer dis- 

 carded lighted cigars and neglected camp-fires are quite as neces- 

 sary. 



The Use of Open Camps 



The Commission has taken an advance step for the increased 

 utilization of the forest preserve by the public generally, through 

 the. adoption of rules permitting the construction and use of open 

 camps. Heretofore, tents only had been permitted. But many, 

 desiring to spend a few days in the woods, found it impossible to 

 pack and carry tents to their destination. 



Under the rules no trail or open camp can be built without 

 written permission of the Commission. All camps must bear a 

 conspicuous sign : " This camp is the property of the State of 



