Report of tee Forest Commission. 43 



the fire should break out again into the adjoining woods ; but 

 the heavy showers that so often follow a large forest fire puts an 

 end to all further danger and the watchers are at liberty to leave 

 the ground. 



Sometimes a fire covering considerable area is managed so that 

 it is soon under control ; but still it burns obstinately 3 although it 

 does not spread In such cases the men often cease work during 

 the heat of the day, but resume the fire-fighting after the sun is 

 down, or at daybreak, having learned by previous observation 

 and experience that a forest fire burns fiercest while the sun is 

 high ; and that it dies down at nightfall, after which the flames 

 are easier controlled and extinguished, especially in the early 

 morning, the damp night air evidently checking the intensity of 

 the fire. Moreover, the wind which blows more or less strongly 

 during the day is very apt to subside at sunset. 



Forest Fires in Other States. 



We append here some descriptions of the forest fires which are 

 constantly occurring in other States. These reports were culled 

 at random from the public press, and refer to fires during the 

 past year only. A similar collection of direful tales could be 

 compiled each season, but the story of 1894 is sufficient. 



"While these extracts are not strictly within the province of 

 this report, they may prove useful in calling attention to the terri- 

 ble nature of forest fires, and the impending evil that is always 

 threatening the forests of New York. The fires reported by our 

 firewardens are so small and unimportant compared with those 

 which have desolated large areas in other States, that our citizens 

 have good cause for congratulation. We have room for only a 

 small part of the many accounts reported from every other State, 

 but the extracts given here are sufficient to form a history, 

 hitherto unpublished, of the great forest fires of 1894. 



Minnesota. 



{From the Neiv York Sun, September 4, 1894.) 



Hinckley, Minn, September 3. — Forest and peat fires had been raging 

 within a short distance of Hinckley for some weeks, but no apprehension had 

 been felt by the inhabitants, and no preparations had been made for 

 emergencies . 



On Saturday afternoon the fire approached, fanned by a strong wind. The 

 smoke grew denser as the day advanced, and it soon became dark as night. 



