, Report of the Forest Commission. 35 



about 150 cords of firewood and doing about $2,000 damages. I could 

 not learn the cause or origin of this fire, but there are three railroads 

 that run parallel with the mountain range on the east side and within 

 a few rods of it. The fire was undoubtedly caused by sparks from the 

 engines, it being a very dry time. It occurred during the great drouth, 

 when there were so many forest fires throughout the country, and it 

 was very difficult to extinguish it; the fire would smoulder and burn 

 in them for days, and then break out in a new place several days after 

 it had been extinguished. The roots of the trees would burn under 

 ground several feet, and then break out at some distance beyond where 

 it had been put out. We finally conquered it in our town by calling 

 out a force of men strong enough to extinguish it, and leaving a guard 

 to watch it for a few days and extinguish it immediately as soon as it 

 broke out again. 



J. E. Munger, supervisor of the town of Fishkill, Dutchess 

 county, reports : 



A fire occurred here in the latter part of August which consumed 

 about 10 acres of brush and young chestnut trees on the side of the 

 mountain. This has been the only fire hereabouts, of this sort, for 

 three years. 



Jefferson County. 



E. B. Johnson, supervisor of the town of Lyons, Jefferson 

 county, reports : 



In the month of August about 100 acres of woodland situated about 

 one-half mile north of Chaumont, N. Y., were burned over. This fire 

 originated from a burning saw mill in that village. The value of the 

 wood land destroyed is probably about $1,500. As the fire occurred in 

 a very dry time we found it difficult to subdue it. Almost the entire 

 community was warned out one day, and fought the fire. The burning 

 area was surrounded with barrels, which were kept filled with water, 

 and watchmen were employed night and day to prevent the flames 

 from spreading. This method was continued until we had a heavy rain 

 which extinguished the fire. 



Orange County. 



C. T. Knight, supervisor of the town of Monroe, Orange 

 county, reports : 



Last summer about 100 acres were burned over on the south boun- 

 dary of our town, causing a loss of $250 or $300 to young timber 



