LOSS FROM FOREST FIRES.

LOSS FROM FOREST FIRES.

The annual loss arising from forest fires is set down at over $25,000,000. That, of course, is only a guess at the truth, and is probably below the exact amount. Losses of mill and logging machinery, lumber, cordwood, merchantable standing timber, and other property of stable market can be closely determined by individual losers; but, when attempts are made to combine even these definite losses for a State, or for the United States, the result becomes a rough estimate, if not a matter of mere conjecture. More exact estimates are available for limited regions. For example: A careful estimate made on the ground after the terrific Washington and Oregon fires of 1902 showed a loss in nine days of $12,000,000 worth of forest property. New York State in the spring of 1903 suffered from unusually severe fires in the Adirondacks, involving a direct loss estimated at $3,500,000, in addition to a known expense for firefighting of $175,000. The general attitude of lumbermen towards forest fires is one of hopefulness, coupled in a measure with indifference (say the Washington authorities). Fires were not unknown prior to the days of settlement, but, since the commercial exploitation of the forest began, they have increased in number and severity, until now they are regarded as inevitable. Considering the many causes from which forest fires spring, the difficulty of quickly locating and suppressing them in the incipient stages, and the tremendous and often impossible task of stopping a fire when it has attained full headway, it is not to be wondered at that the lumberman has taken rather a hopeless view of the matter. The attitude of indifference which has been shown by lumbermen in many instances is far less excusable than their belief in the impossibility of fire protection. Realising the fire danger, they have deliberately ignored all sides of the question save that of the most temporary protection, and have taken the best from the land and abandoned the rest to destruction by fires which often threatened or destroyed the adjoining property of others. The only justification for this has been the economic conditions which have made the suppression of fire incompatible with profitable lumbering. Adequate forest-fire protection is a big and difficult undertaking at best; but, if approached as such, and if serious, systematic action is taken by individual lumbermen, the solution will be found. The desired end, if attained, will ultimately justify the expense. The State and Federal governments contribute to the attainments of satisfactory results by new and revised forest-fire legislation and by giving expert advice to those desirous of it.”

The annual loss arising from forest fires is set down at over $25,000,000. That, of course, is only a guess at the truth, and is probably below the exact amount. Losses of mill and logging machinery, lumber, cordwood, merchantable standing timber, and other property of stable market can be closely determined by individual losers; but, when attempts are made to combine even these definite losses for a State, or for the United States, the result becomes a rough estimate, if not a matter of mere conjecture. More exact estimates are available for limited regions. For example: A careful estimate made on the ground after the terrific Washington and Oregon fires of 1902 showed a loss in nine days of $12,000,000 worth of forest property. New York State in the spring of 1903 suffered from unusually severe fires in the Adirondacks, involving a direct loss estimated at $3,500,000, in addition to a known expense for firefighting of $175,000. The general attitude of lumbermen towards forest fires is one of hopefulness, coupled in a measure with indifference (say the Washington authorities). Fires were not unknown prior to the days of settlement, but, since the commercial exploitation of the forest began, they have increased in number and severity, until now they are regarded as inevitable. Considering the many causes from which forest fires spring, the difficulty of quickly locating and suppressing them in the incipient stages, and the tremendous and often impossible task of stopping a fire when it has attained full headway, it is not to be wondered at that the lumberman has taken rather a hopeless view of the matter. The attitude of indifference which has been shown by lumbermen in many instances is far less excusable than their belief in the impossibility of fire protection. Realising the fire danger, they have deliberately ignored all sides of the question save that of the most temporary protection, and have taken the best from the land and abandoned the rest to destruction by fires which often threatened or destroyed the adjoining property of others. The only justification for this has been the economic conditions which have made the suppression of fire incompatible with profitable lumbering. Adequate forest-fire protection is a big and difficult undertaking at best; but, if approached as such, and if serious, systematic action is taken by individual lumbermen, the solution will be found. The desired end, if attained, will ultimately justify the expense. The State and Federal governments contribute to the attainments of satisfactory results by new and revised forest-fire legislation and by giving expert advice to those desirous of it.”