Conservation Commission 75 



WILL YOU PERMIT A REPETITION OF THIS IN 1913? 



If such a loss were caused by a city conflagration, or by a great 

 flood, it would set the country agog with excitement for months. 

 Steps would be taken to prevent a repetition of it. 



If such a loss were caused by riot or invasion, it would be con- 

 sidered a national catastrophe and the whole machinery of govern- 

 ment would be set in motion to protect the public safety. Millions 

 of dollars would be made available immediately to protect the 

 public safety. 



We did not profit by the catastrophe of 1903. 



The lessons taught by the serious fires of 1908 were heeded to a 

 certain extent, and a more effective forest fire fighting organization 

 has been developed in the State. However, what we have done is 

 just a beginning. It would not prevent serious damage in a bad 

 fire year like 1903 or 1908. 



THE YEAR 1913 PROMISES TO BE A BAD FIRE YEAR! 



THE DANGER FROM FOREST FIRES CANNOT BE ELIMINATED 

 WITHOUT THE CO-OPERATION OF EVERY CITIZEN OF THE 

 STATE. 



The loss of life caused by forest fires in New York State has 

 been small compared with other regions. HUNDREDS OF LIVES 

 WERE LOST in the fires near Hinckley, Minn., in 1893. The 

 appalling loss of life in the forest fires of the Pacific Northwest 

 in 1910, and in the Porcupine Region of Canada in 1911, horrified 

 the whole nation. New York has escaped catastrophes such as 

 these by good fortune and, during the last four years, by increased 

 activity in attacking the fire question ; but UNLESS THE GREAT- 

 EST CARE IS EXERCISED BY EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND 

 CHILD WHO GOES INTO THE WOODS, YOU AND YOUR 

 NEIGHBORS MAY BE THE VICTIMS OF A SIMILAR CON- 

 FLAGRATION. 



IF YOUR HOME is in the forest, a bad forest fire may destroy 

 your entire property and leave you destitute. 



IF YOU OWN A FARM, the profits of your agricultural opera- 

 tions may be wiped out in a few hours by the fire demon. 



IF YOU ARE A GUIDE, the burning of the forests, where you 

 take parties for pleasure, means the loss of your source of em- 

 ployment. 



