ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 57 



Berry pickers , 2 



Log drivers' camps 2 



Coffee fires 2 



Bonfire 1 



Children at play 1 



Imbecile 1 



Sparks from sawmill stack 1 



Cause unknown 31 



Total 126 



The fire-wardens in stating the origin of the fires, as required in their 

 reports, merely expressed an opinion in most instances as to the probable 

 cause, the evidence not being sufficient to warrant a positive statement, 

 or to secure a conviction in case a prosecution was attempted. 



The total area of timber lands burned over amounted to 2,670 acres in 

 the Adirondacks; and 2,125 acres in the Catskills. In all, the damage to 

 standing timber was estimated in the reports of the fire-wardens at $3,895. 

 That the loss on these areas was no greater was due to the fact that most 

 of the fires were "surface fires," as they are called, which ran through 

 the woods on the ground without scorching the trunks of the trees 

 sufficiently to kill them. The loss in State timber was slight, amounting 

 to S60 only. 



Although the past season was, for the greater part, a rainy one, there 

 was a dry spell in the spring, and, also, one in the fall, during which the 

 conditions throughout the Adirondack and Catskill woods became 

 extremely dangerous, especially along railroad lines. Most of the fires 

 reported, as shown by the dates, happened at these times, and had it not 

 been for the activity and efficiency of the fire-wardens in their respective 

 districts the loss in timber would have been serious. 



It may be interesting to note the months in which most of the fires 

 occurred, as the records, in this respect, indicate clearly the dangerous 

 periods of the year, and justify fully the enactment of the law which pro- 

 hibits the burning of fallows in forest towns during these months. The 

 ones in which the fires occurred and the number in each were: 



