Fires. 



15 



fires are difificult of control, as a fire starting at one end of a mountain 

 is likely to extend throughout the whole length unless control measures 

 are adopted with reasonable promptness. The State's system of for- 

 est fire protection, through the Forest Wardens, has accomplished 

 much in reducing the annual fire damage, and in this respect allow- 

 ance should be made in the above figures, because five years ago a 

 large number of the fires that occurred were not reported, while now 

 there are very few that are not attended and reported by a Forest 

 Warden. 



In the central pai*t of the State where most of the woodland is in 

 small tracts, with a large percentage of cleared land, the fires are not 

 nearly so destructive. They are not as extensive in the first place, be- 

 cause of limited wooded areas, and the forests are looked after more 

 closely because of their relatively higher value and the greater num- 

 ber of people available for fire fighting. In southern Maryland much 

 damage is done during exceptionally dry seasons, particularly in the 

 spring when brush burning is coramonly practiced, but the climate is 

 more humid and there is more moisture in the soil, both of which have 

 a tendency to reduce fire damage. Fires are less frequent on the east- 

 ern shore peninsula than in any other section of the State, due to 

 greater humidity and more soil moisture, for much of the land surface 

 there is less than 20 feet above sea level. 



The damage caused by forest firee is not fully appreciated. This is 

 one reason why so many are allowed to occur, and that many which do 

 occur are given little attention by property owners. Not only do fires 

 damage fences and merchantable timber, whose value is more clearly 

 recognized, but fires also destroy on the ground the seed which nature 

 has provided for the perpetuation of the forest. The accumulated leaf 

 litter and partly decomposed organic matter, so important in conserv- 

 ing soil moisture and adding fertility to the soil, are completely 

 destroyed, the ground becoming dry and hard. The small seedlings 

 are consumed, and where the fire is not intense enough to quickly 

 destroy the young growth the bark is burned through on one side, 

 exposing the living wood to decay. The tree may continue to grow, 

 but the decay also increases, stunting its growth and reducing its tim- 

 ber value to a great extent, frequently to the point of making it practi- 

 cally worthless. It is these fire-scars on the young trees and also on 

 older ones which produce the decay ultimately resulting in hollowed 

 trees and many other defects. 



A woodland that is repeatedly burned over by fires constantly 

 deteriorates in quality, and the production is greatly reduced or ceases 

 entirely. Fire protection is the first requisite for improved conditions 

 in woodlots; without it there can be no permanent improvement. 



