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" ¥ " Imprint PDS SSCL UTA SABLE Dim 9 EPS AOE ARS oI aN an ROL ST Ye x An Li* 2 yA ¥ ‘ ‘ f m ; Y : t : ; ha Mie a ‘y fhut . ee 4 - ° ee ee ee oe AG Ves La wl hs eligi is ed hs ee ep Sai Gd als ey, nhc es el ah wh, ig ck hg ssa cali Wah gic’ dnd uns’ PLUGS she ab lp tgs Sn nat ne Sle eo weg al ie eit } j log stati Bir : sae oe te Hs , 16—27179-1 + 4. s, f 4 ¥ oltue: ‘ : yALr : ; ri . H t ; 2 ah ege " ! i P Deas? oe : t f ees Z HOES ? } iy r 4 - ‘j { ; it , yy ‘ ; i ap os * j “% Le i d nay 3 4 i 1084 4 i+ \ ¢ : - fa | { us| ‘ i Na Tepe } 2 ay, f ; caw! D j epeA ; My { F f c D ‘ 7 8 ‘ ; i vy ; : } : : a ‘ ‘ 5 ne ahh j at f PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF FOREST FIRES. SAMUEL N. SPRING, STATE FORESTER. WALTER O. FILLEY, ASSISTANT STATE FORESTER. OFFICE AT CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION; New Haven, CoNNECTICUT. CONTENTS PART I Prevention and Control of Forest Fires. Page Ihstructions to Fire Wardens: .... 30. 5. oes eee 3-18 Duties of Selectmen 444. 625% seb ae ee 18-21 Wo. @. Miawors sof (Aes. cas oes vs oon eee 21 Bi ES te ake, ewan eene eee 21, 28 Fo. . e SOSeCibiiEe A MBCErS pun sues. acaihe ok 22, 23 Instructions to ‘Town. Treasurers, 2... i424 eee 23 Present Conditions.and Needs .3.:....2.. 420 ee 23-27 PART II Connecticut Laws relating to Forests .............- 29-50 ’ - 2 — hes a PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF FOREST FIRES. INSTRUCTIONS TO FIRE WARDENS. 1. In order to perform his duties intelligently and efficiently each warden must be thoroughly familiar with the laws relating to forest fires. These instruc- tions supplement the laws and explain them; they will be of assistance to fire wardens in their work and must be closely followed. APPOINTMENTS. 2. A town fire warden is appointed by the select- men of the town subject to approval by the State Forest Fire Warden. Every warden will receive a written appointment (Form A) signed by the select- men and the State Fire Warden. The term of office is for one year, dating from January 1. Town fire wardens are under the supervision of the State Fire Warden and are held responsible by him for the prevention and control of forest fires in their respec- tive towns. Each town fire warden is directed to divide his town into as many forest fire districts as are deemed necessary to insure adequate protection of all woodland in the town, and to appoint one resident in each district a fire warden. There should 4 not be over ten districts in one town; the present average is four. In towns having a consolidated town and city government where the boundaries and limits of said town and city are the same, the chief of the fire depart- ment of the city is, ex officio, town fire warden, and possesses all the powers and is subject to all the duties of town fire warden. | 3. A district fire warden is appointed by the town fire warden for one year, dating from January I, and receives written appointment (Form B). In case a town fire warden is reappointed and desires to keep the same district wardens, he must without fail reappoint each district warden. All district wardens are requested immediately upon appointment to fill out and sign the acceptance form, forwarding it promptly to the State Forest Fire Warden, New Haven, Conn. No bill for district warden expenses. can be recognized as legal, nor can supplies be sent out, unless the acceptance is on file in the State Fire Warden’s office. Within the territory assigned to him the district fire warden is held responsible by the town fire warden for faithful discharge of duties and protection of woodland from fires. DUTIES AND POWERS OF WARDENS. 4. It is the duty of town and district fire wardens to prevent and extinguish forest fires in their respec- tive towns and enforce the laws relating to the pro- tection of forest and timber land from fire. Wardens 5 have the right to arrest violators of these laws with- out warrant if taken in the act and bring them before a justice of the peace for immediate trial. The law states that in case of a fire the warden shall attend forthwith and use all necessary means to confine and extinguish it; wardens may summon assistance of any male resident between 18 and 50 years of age and may require the use of horses and other property needed for the purpose. Refusal to assist, unless the person is physically unable, or to furnish equipment required, is punishable by fine. Wardens have control and direction of all persons and apparatus while engaged in extinguishing forest fires. The law provides that during a season of drought the town warden may establish a fire patrol in his town. Plans for such patrol should be submitted to the State Forest Fire Warden for approval. The issuing of permits is one of the duties of fire wardens. (See p. 7, Permits.) The law requires that wardens post fire warning notices in their respective towns. PREVENTION OF FIRES. 5. Personal Warning: Most fires result from carelessness in throwing down lighted matches, cigar and cigarette butts, or burning brush under bad con- ditions and in the heat of the day, leaving fires untended or unextinguished, etc. Wardens should caution people in their districts to be careful, especi- 6 ally so if the season becomes dry. Let it be under- stood that the laws will be enforced and violations prosecuted. In many towns in the state foreigners have settled. They should be warned concerning fires and the laws explained. Pick out one who understands English; make him understand the laws and tell him to inform the rest. 6. Posting of Notices: Since it is important that everyone should know the laws, the town should be thoroughly posted with cloth warning notices sent out to town fire wardens by the State Fire Warden. These should be renewed as they wear out or when changes in the law require such renewal. According to an opinion of the Attorney-General, it is legal to post these notices on public shade trees; i. e., trees within highway limits. Wardens should obtain evi- dence for the prosecution of anyone who destroys or injures one of these notices. Such a person is liable to a fine of ten dollars. 7. Arrest and Prosecution: Do not fail to arrest persons taken in the act of violating the fire laws. One good object lesson creates a new and wholesome respect for the fire laws in communities where carelessness and disregard of laws has existed. If a forest fire results from violation of any of the fire laws and proper evidence is obtainable, place this at once in the hands of your grand juror or other prosecuting officer and request that the party be arrested and prosecuted. Report all such matters at 7 once to the State Fire Warden, who will assist in every way possible. Where fines are imposed the law requires that they shall be deposited with the State Treasurer. The State Fire Warden will request the State Comptroller to pay one-half of the amount collected as a fine to the fire warden, or other person upon whose information the proceedings in which such fine was imposed were instituted, but not exceeding fiity dollars in any one case. (Blank forms to be filled out for this purpose may be obtained from the State Fire Warden on application.) 8. Permits: The purpose of the law requiring permits between March 15 and June 1,—September 15 and November 15 is to lessen fires resulting from careless burning of brush in dry seasons when fires spread so easily. People who need to make a fife should be hindered as little as possible, and anyone asking for a permit should be given one unless you believe it unsafe to burn. Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the 1911 law. Use the greatest judgment and discretion in issuing permits. It is not generally necessary to visit personally the place where fire is to be kindled. Know your man and understand the conditions under which he wants to kindle a fire, insist on a sufficient number of men to prevent escape of fire, and see that the applicant understands the laws in reference to fires. If a long, very dry season occurs no permits should be issued until the drought is broken. When in the judgment of the warden it is not practicable to fix the date for a single day, inclusive 8 dates may be set allowing two or three days, but the applicant should be requested to ’phone the district warden the day he burns. A permit to cover one season or part of a season is allowable only where clearing up and burning brush or rubbish is required every few days and this is done by an organized force for regular work; for example, owners of large farms, water companies, clubs, and lumber companies. Do not issue unnecessary permits. Let your neigh- bors and others in your district know that no permit is needed if a fire is made in a ploughed field, garden or public highway not less than 200 feet from wood- land, brushland, or field containing dry grass or other inflammable material which would communicate the fire to woodland. Under the law no fees whatsoever can be charged applicants for permits to kindle fires in the open air. If only a few permits are issued a warden would scarcely be justified in making out a bill for the little time used in this service. If, however, considerable time is required in issuing permits, a bill should be prepared at the close of each season stating the actual number of hours occupied in discharge of this duty, the number of permits issued, the rate per hour and total amount. Bills for this service should include postage as a separate item if such were used in con- nection with mailing permits. ' 9. Exemptions from Permit Law: If the town fire warden considers that all or a portion of his town can safely be exempted from the provisions of Chap. 9 128, Sec. 4, Public Acts of 1909 (as amended in 1911), he should make his recommendations in detail to the State Fire Warden, if possible prior to March fifteenth of the current year. The matter will then be given careful consideration and a decision rendered. 1o. Town Patrol: Town fire wardens may establish a patrol in their respective towns in seasons of drought to watch for and extinguish fires. Such a patrol is advisable at places of greatest danger, such as along the railroad where the grade is steep and the line passes through woodland; tracts of woodland where many city and town people go on holidays and Sundays, and so on. Plans for such patrol should be considered well in advance of the dry season and approved by the State Forest Fire Warden. In many instances these plans can be carried out in con- nection with the State and Federal patrol and the lookout stations. PREPARATION BEFORE FIRE SEASON. 11. Districts and Wardens: Town fire wardens should at once after appointment plan the division of their respective towns into districts. This should be done in reference to location and extent of wood- land, the special places of danger from fire and the place of residence of those who may be appointed district wardens. Care should be used in choosing district wardens. Those who are honest, will serve faithfully and actively, and are so located as to com- mand a view of the district should be chosen. If IO practicable, the district warden should be one who has a telephone. 12. All wardens having telephones should have their titles inserted in the telephone directory after their names, thus, in the Simsbury Exchange: “Eddy, E. M. C., Forest Fire Warden, . . 16-14.” 13. Posting Notices: This is one of the duties which should precede the fire season, any renewals being made that are needed. Such posting can often be done in connection with trips to town and elsewhere or a day may be devoted specially to this work. Towns should be well posted so that none may plead ignorance of the law. 14. Conference of Wardens: It has been found helpful for the town and district wardens to meet together before the fire season to talk over the work. This is often possible at the time of some public gathering when all the fire wardens are present. Such discussions will make duties clear in the minds of all and prevent any possible misunderstanding of instructions. The most important object of the con- ference is to consider places of fire danger in the town, ways of preventing fires and making people more careful, kind of equipment needed, methods of fighting fire, and, of especial importance, where labor- ers can be secured when fires occur. Plans can also be made to secure the interest and help of all persons having telephones. 15. Codperation with Adjoining Towns: A town fire warden should know the fire wardens of adjoin- tf ing towns and have an understanding with each in reference to fighting boundary line fires so that there may be mutual assistance in case of help being required. 16. Equipment: Every town should furnish necessary tools and simple apparatus for fighting fires. Sufficient equipment in each warden’s possession will be a means of reducing fire damage and cost of fighting. Wardens should give selectmen a receipt and be responsible for articles of equipment, and use them as carefully as they would their own property. Such equipment must be turned in to the town when- ever a person ceases to serve as fire warden. Sug- gested equipment is as follows:—*Single and double pumps with fire nozzle, galvanized iron buckets, chemi- cal extinguishers, shovels and hoes, etc. LOOKOUT FOR FIRES. 17. Each Warden’s Duty: Not only should wardens be prepared to respond at once to a call to fight fire, but should also be on the lookout for smoke each day during the dry season. In case fire is seen in your district satisfy yourself that it is a fire author- ized by permit and in safe hands or go at once, tak- ing the necessary assistants. Use the telephone whenever available if it will save time or expense. *For information concerning fire pumps, see Report of State Forester, 1910, Part XI, Report of Conn. Agri. Exp. Station, New Haven, Conn. I2 18. Lookout Stations: The 1911 law provides that the State Forest Fire Warden may establish and equip fire lookout stations, appoint patrolmen, etc. One station on Bald Hill in the town of Union was tried experimentally in 1911 and served to show the value of such a lookout and codperation in a group of towns for the prevention and control of forest fires. Another station has been established on Den- nis Hill in the town of Norfolk, and is connected by telephone. (Each lookout station established by State Fire Warden will appear in telephone directory as “Fire Lookout Station, State of Conn.’’) Suggestions in reference to new lookout stations will be gladly received by this office. It is expected that all wardens and others in towns affected will cooperate fully with the patrolman appointed to serve at a lookout’station, and wardens are directed to follow special instructions to be issued for districts thus formed. The patrolmen will locate fires, get information on extent of fire, force required, etc., and promptly telephone the necessary information to a fire warden in accordance with previous plans. FIGHTING FIRES. 19. Warden in Charge: The time to control a fire is when it is small. Get to the fire without any delay, taking tools and as many assistants as seem necessary. If you have made plans in advance you will know where to pick up good fire fighters at once when fire occurs. Don’t summon a large number. In most cases a small number of picked men can do 13 more than a hundred. You, as warden, should take charge and act as a foreman rather than let each man fight fire where he pleases. In case of a large fire divide your force into crews, designating one man in each crew to be foreman. You should go from place to place directing the work and seeing that the fire is fought at the places most advantageous to control it. 20. Methods: Conditions at forest fires vary and no complete or detailed instructions can be given which can be followed literally. Surface fires can usually be put out by beating with wet sacks, cedar boughs, wet brooms and similar articles. Effective work can be done by throwing loose dirt on the advancing flames to smother them. By raking or hoeing back the leaves, etc., in a line ahead of the fire it can often be stopped for lack of material, provided a strong wind is not blowing. In loose, sandy soil plowing furrows is sometimes practicable to make a protecting line where the fire can be fought. 21. Chemical extinguishers are found to be very effective where it is possible to carry them and suff- cient charges for renewal. 22. The use of water with single or double fire pumps is especially recommended. Under very adverse conditions this method has proved easy and effective. Springs, streams, swamps and water holes abound in the state and where water is available no method equals the use of the single bucket pump and two-man pump. Every town should try out this apparatus and make it a part of regular equipment. 14 23. The law authorizes wardens to destroy fences, plow land, or, in an emergency, set backfires to check any forest fire. Backfires must not be set indiscriminately. They should be started only at natural barriers such as a road or a brook, or a thoroughly effective artificial barrier such as a plowed strip, etc. A backfire should always burn against the wind back toward the main fire. 24. Finally, a thorough examination of the fire line should be made and any dead branches, etc., stretching across the line be thrown back into the fire and any large burning stubs cut down or fire in them extinguished. In case of large-fires one or more patrolmen must be left to watch the line to put out — any blazes which may spring up after the fire is supposed to be wholly extinguished. This is some- times equally necessary in smaller fires, especially on mountain land where the fire creeps through dry moss and humus under and among the rocks. 25. Do not forget to get a full and complete list of your laborers at the time of the fire. Do not depend on them to report name and number of hours later. That is not a business-like way. Where the town warden and one or more district wardens are present at a large fire, have each district warden make his list of men at the time of the fire and hand it then, if possible, to the town warden, who is directed to make out the bill and report for the whole fire in this case. 15 CO-OPERATION WITH RAILROAD EMPLOYEES. 26. It is important that wardens should become acquainted with railroad section foremen in their dis- trict. Talk over fire fighting with them and plan methods of codperating with them in extinguishing railroad fires along their sections. Sec. 3, Chap. 114, Public Acts of 1911, indicates the duties of section men in reference to railroad fires. Fire wardens should not make unreasonable demands upon section men under the provision of this act. PAY OF WARDENS AND LABORERS. 27. Town and district wardens receive “thirty- five cents per hour for time actually employed at forest fires, the prevention thereof, or otherwise devoted to the discharge of duties as fire warden.” A chief of the fire department of any city, while act- ing as town fire warden does not receive such compen- sation where a regular salary is received by him. The rate of pay for laborers at forest fires is not to exceed twenty cents per hour. (See Part I, p. 20.) SUPPLIES. 28. All wardens will be supplied direct from this office with permit blanks, report and bill forms. Forms must not be used for correspondence. Cloth warning notices will be sent to town fire wardens to be posted by them or their district wardens as town wardens may decide. Additional supplies may be obtained by sending request by post card to State Forest Fire Warden, New Haven, Conn. 16 RECORD OF FOREST FIRES. 29. Every fire, whether small or large, must be reported to the State Fire Warden on blanks (Form C) provided for this purpose. Reports must be as com- plete as possible, using only the revised form. Infor- mation called for on the report blanks can usually be secured before leaving the fire while making final inspection of the burned land to see that the fire is entirely extinguished. When reporting a fire make proper entry in each blank space, filling in with a dash where item does not apply. Make your own conserva- tive estimate of damage caused by the fire in every case and enter it in your report. Do this whether the owner does or does not intend to claim any damages. This information is for the State Fire Warden’s office and is not given out excepting as it is added to others and compiled by towns, counties and for the whole state in annual records. Fire wardens have. nothing to do officially with appraising damages done by a fire, except for the reports of the State Forest Fire Warden. Do not report “Cause of fire unknown” unless a reasonable effort has been made to find it out. When- ever a fire is attributed to the railroad give details of evidence, such as the time a train passed, the distance from nearest station, etc. All fires are to be reported by the town fire warden within two weeks after occurrence. District wardens’ reports must go to the town fire warden, who will sign them and forward to State Forest Fire Warden with the bills. ia BILLS. 30. All bills for. fire warden expenses must be made out on blanks (Form E) furnished by the State Forest Fire Warden, and must be accompanied by a report of the fire. Instructions to be found at the bottom of Form E must be closely followed in pre- paring bills. District wardens are directed to send bill and report of fire to town fire warden, who will examine and O. K., if correct and just, then transmit them at once to the State Forest Fire Warden, New Haven, Conn. (Town fire wardens are furnished return addressed envelopes.) The law requires that all bills shall be presented within thirty days after services are rendered. Wardens are therefore instructed to send bill and report in to the State Fire Warden within two weeks after a fire. Bills for fires definitely known to originate from the railroad are paid by the railroad company (see Chap. 124, Public Acts of 1911); bills for other fires are paid by the town (see Chap. 124, Public Acts of 1911). In filling out Form E for railroad fires the heading should be, for example, N. Y., N. H. & H. BR: Co. to (name of fire warden), Dr. In filling out Form E for other fires it should be, for example, Town of Simsbury to James M. Stocking, Fire Warden, Dr. All bills must be exact, just and correct, according to the law, and itemized (see Part II, p. 46). Make a separate bill for each fire. A bill for fighting a fire must not be made out against the railroad unless the 18 source of the fire is clearly due to engine sparks, act of employee, etc. (see Chap. 114, Public Acts of 1911). The report accompanying bill for a railroad fire must give definite evidence in regard to source of fire, otherwise the State Fire Warden cannot approve the bill for payment by the railroad company. Bills incorrectly made out or containing items not conforming to the law will be returned for correction. Bills unaccompanied by reports will be held until report is received. In case of a warden fighting a fire in an adjoining town he should make out his bill against that town and send it with a report direct to the State Forest Fire Warden at New Haven. DUTIES OF SELECTMEN. Appointment of Forest Fire Warden: The select- men are required by law to appoint a town fire warden, who shall act for the term of one year under the instructions of the State Fire Warden. If this ap- pointment is not approved by the State Fire Warden the selectmen should make another appointment. In towns having a consolidated town and city government, where the city limits do not extend to the boundaries of the town, the selectmen shall appoint a warden to take charge of this outlying portion of the town. If the boundaries and limits of said town and city are coterminous, the chief of 1Q the fire department of the city shall be, ex officio, town fire warden, and the selectmen have nothing to do with such cases. (Blanks, Form A, for the appointment of town fire wardens can be secured from this office. For the purpose of uniformity of keeping records all appointments will date from January 1.) The selectmen should reappoint efficient, honest, capable town fire wardens and not change for political or other reasons. If it is necessary to make a new appointment great care should be exercised in the choice. A town fire warden should be one centrally located, who has a telephone, who is interested in pro- tection of woodland, is able to organize the work effectively, report faithfully, take charge of fire fighting when necessary, and one who commands the respect of his community. In the absence of town and district wardens, the first selectman may act as fire warden. EQUIPMENT OF WARDENS. The selectmen should provide wardens with a rea- sonable equipment for the work, such as shovels, hoes, bucket-pumps, galvanized iron pails, and chemical extinguishers. Towns should also provide a badge with the words Fire Warden on it. Wardens should give receipt for all equipment and be held responsible by the selectmen for proper care and use of articles furnished. 20 RATE OF PAY OF LABORERS. The selectmen, except in towns where the chief of the fire department is ex officio town fire warden, shall fix the price per hour to be paid to laborers at forest fires, employed by the fire wardens or their deputies, not exceeding twenty cents per hour, and shall give notice thereof to the town fire warden, and the State Forest Fire Warden; but if the select- men do not fix said price, the town fire warden may pay, at the rate of twenty cents per hour, for such services. As the work of fighting forest fires is difficult, it is recommended that the selectmen fix the rate for laborers at twenty cents per hour. BILLS FOR FIRE WARDEN SERVICES. Under the 1911 law all bills for fire warden expenses must be prepared by wardens within one month of the date of service and sent direct to the State Forest Fire Warden for examination and record. They will then be sent to the selectmen, whose duty it is to pass upon these bills. Selectmen should look for the stamp “Examined and Recorded, Samuel N. Spring, State Forest Fire Warden,” on each bill before approving for payment. If bills do not have this stamp they should be sent at once to State Forest Fire Warden, New Haven, Conn. When the bill has been audited and approved by the selectmen of the town wherein services were rendered and expenses incurred, it shall be paid on the order of the selectmen by the town treasurer. 21 BRUSH CUT ON HIGHWAYS. Attention of all selectmen is called to Chap. 2, Pub- lic Acts of 1911, which amends Chap. 277, Public Acts of 1905. The original law required the cutting annually of brush, etc., within ten feet of the center of the main highways in each town. The amendment provides that the selectmen shall cause all brush so cut to be piled and burned within thirty days there- after. DUTIES OF MAYORS OF CITIES. According to Chap. 136, Public Acts of 1907, amend- ing Sec. 5, Chap. 238, Public Acts of 1905, in towns having a consolidated town and city government, where the boundaries and limits of said town and city are coterminous, the mayor of the city shall perform all the acts required by this section to be performed by the selectmen of towns. That is, he shall decide the price to be paid laborers employed in fighting forest fires; shall examine the bills of the chief of- the fire department acting as town fire warden, and if he approves them, and if they have previously been examined and recorded by the State Fire Warden, these bills shall be paid on his order by the city treasurer. DUTIES OF JUSTICES. According to Sec. 4, Chap. 238, Public Acts of 1905, any fire warden may arrest, without a warrant, any person or persons taken by him in the act of violating 22 any of the laws for the protection of forest and timber lands, and bring such persons before a justice of the peace, or other magistrate having jurisdiction, who shall proceed without delay to hear, try, and determine the matter. The laws protecting forest and timber lands are: Sec. 1218 of the General Statutes, amended by Chap. 238, Sec. 7, Public Acts of 1905; Sec. 1219; "See 1220; Sec. 1221, amended by Chap. 43, Public Acts of 1907; Sec. 1222, amended by Chap. 238, Sec. 8, Public Acts of 1905; Sec. 3779; Sec. 3780; Sec. gaze amended by Chap. 238, Sec. 9, Public Acts of 1905; Bec. 1096; Secs. I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; and 7, Chapiaam Public Acts of 1909, amended by Chap. 124, Public Acts of IQII. Sec. 6 of Chap. 238, Public Acts of 1905, provides that all moneys received from fines imposed under and by virtue of the provisions of Secs. 1218, 1222, and 1237 of the General Statutes shall be paid to the State Treasurer, and kept by him as a separate fund for purposes described in the section. Sec. 7, Chap. 128, Public Acts of 1909, as amended by Chap. 124, Public Acts of 1911, provides that money received from fines imposed under Secs. 3, 4, of this act shall be disposed of as Sec. 6, Chap. 238, provides. DUTIES OF PROSECUTING OFFICERS. Prosecuting attorneys of cities, and grand jurors in towns, can do much for the prevention of forest fires by vigorously prosecuting all infringements of the 23 laws above mentioned. Convictions with adequate fine or imprisonment will tend to lessen criminal care- lessness and malicious setting of fires. INSTRUCTIONS TO TOWN TREASURERS. If a bill of the town fire warden has been examined and recorded*by the State Forest Fire Warden and is approved by the selectmen of the town wherein services were rendered, it shall be paid on the order of the selectmen by the town treasurer. (Look for the stamp of the State Fire Warden on bill before pay- ing.) A copy of each bill so paid shall be sent by the town treasurer to the county commissioners of the county in which said town is situated, and the commissioners shall thereupon draw their order on the county treasurer in favor of said town for one-fourth of the amount of said bill. Upon the first day of June, annually, the town treasurer shall send a state- ment with duplicate bills to the State Comptroller (blank forms are provided by him), who shall draw his order on the State Treasurer in favor of said town for one-fourth of the amount of said bill. PRESENT CONDITIONS AND NEEDS. WHAT THE PUBLIC CAN DO. Connecticut has good laws relating to forest fires and an excellent fire warden system for extinguish- ing fires. This service is now organized in every town. Its efficiency has depended largely upon the public spirit of the town fire wardens who have been 24 appointed for this work and faithfulness in carrying out their duties. In some towns lack of interest and support by the public have seriously impaired results. No one can to-day question the value of systematic fire protection work as carried out during the seven years following its inauguration in this State. With an expenditure of less than a cent an acre per year an immense amount of valuable woodland has been saved from destruction. Greater cooperation by the public is, however, necessary to secure better results in each town, both in fighting fires and in getting at the causes to prevent their occurrence. The public is responsible for over two-thirds of our fires, chiefly through carelessness and negligence. Every citizen should know the laws and should use his influence with others to bring about their enforce- ment. Carefulness and obedience to law on the part of each individual citizen, especially in dry seasons, will reduce the number of fires toa minimum. Prompt cooperation and assistance by the public when fires occur will prevent any great areas being burned over with large accompanying losses. LAWS EACH ONE SHOULD KNOW. Sec. 1221 of the General Statutes, as amended by Public Acts of 1907, provides that no one shall kindle a fire, or authorize another to kindle a fire, on his own land unless all combustible materials for the space of twenty feet have been removed, nor shall any such fire be left until extinguished. j : 25 Secs. 1220 and 1221 provide that no person shall kindle a fire on public land, without authority, nor upon land of another without permission of the owner thereof, or his agent. Fires kindled by throw- ing down a lighted match, cigar, or other burning substance are covered by this act, and any person violating this act is liable to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both. Secs. 10906 and 3779 provide that parties setting fire, including railroad companies, are liable for all damages caused by such fires. Sec. 3780, as amended by Public Acts of I9QII, pro- vides that all claims for damages caused by railroads shall be given in writing within twenty days after the fire, specifying the day of the fire, giving a general description of the property injured, and stating the amount claimed as damages. Such notice may be given by a letter signed by the claimant or his agent, mailed to the superintendent of the railroad, or delivered to its station agent at a station in the town where the fire occurred. Sec. 3 of Chap. 128, Public Acts of 1909, provides a maximum penalty of two hundred dollars fine, or imprisonment for six months, or both, for the person or his agent who kindles a fire in the open air that occasions injury to another. Sec. 4 provides that fires for the purposes of burn- ing bushes, weeds, grass, rubbish of any kind between the fifteenth day of March and the first day of June 26 and the fifteenth day of September and the fifteenth day of November shall not be kindled without written permission from fire wardens of the district. This does not apply to fires in cities, boroughs or districts protected by local fire companies, and no permit is needed if the fire is in a ploughed field, garden or public highway not less than two hundred feet from woodland, brushland, or land covered by dry grass or other inflammable material. Any person violating this law shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. Sec. 5, as amended by Public Acts of 1911, provides that whenever the State Fire Warden deems that the public safety of a town, or portion of a town, does not require the protection provided by Sec. 4, he may cause the town warden to post notices to that effect. Towns, or parts of towns, so posted are then exempt from the operation of this section until March fifteenth of the succeeding year. Sec. 6 makes backfiring in the absence of a fire warden not unlawful if done for the purpose of pro- tecting property from threatened and immediate injury of a wild fire. (However, the need should in such case be very great and immediate, since backfiring should be a last resort, unless thoroughly understood and conditions are favorable for this method of fight- ing fires.) The law providing for the appointment of forest fire wardens and prescribing their duties is Chap. 238, Public Acts of 1905 and amendments. This law 27 as it now stands (December, 1911), together with other Connecticut laws relating to forests, is given in full in Part II of this publication. WHAT EVERY ONE CAN DO. Every resident in a town should know who is his town fire warden and who is the district fire warden and where he lives. Any one who discovers a fire should notify, personally or by telephone, the nearest district fire warden or the town fire warden and respond promptly to fight fires whenever needed. The future productiveness of our woodlands depends on keeping fire out. Even small fires do much damage. Prompt action will prevent such large fires as have occurred in recent dry years. In sections where lookout stations are established by the State Forest Fire Warden persons having tele- phones can assist greatly by giving the station patrol- man information he requests about any fires and by notifying him promptly of any that are seen. Much can be done, both by public and private per- sons, for the prevention of forest fires by urging prosecution of offenders of the fire laws and by giv- ing testimony when cases arise. Any information regarding fires or suggestions con- cerning the work of forest fire wardens will be wel- come and should be addressed to State Forest Fire Warden, New Haven, Conn. Pook 2 FT: CONNECTICUT LAWS RELATING TO FORESTS. COMPILED BY SAMUEL N. SPRING, STATE FORESTER. a plectnh Rie Tt ae te é x ¥ 2 “4 s.*4 ‘ ; ai te ¥ 4 th a % 3 e ek Be Tee oe ie Ded. Bos Be an Sari / ey i hy ¥ D * = , ti Ne * eh Saree j ‘ i a: =e 12S Does ~ ee Lee Tae Ra Ae tor } a . . *y ° . i § pa 4 ~, ‘ lane ‘, or Oe 13 % f y ye “ ur sey CFs Uk" CONNECTICUT LAWS RELATING TO FORESTS. GENERAL STATUTES, SEC. 4448. The board of control of the Connecticut agricultural experiment station shall appoint a state forester to hold office during the pleasure of the board; he shall have an office at the experiment station, but shall receive no com- pensation, other than his regular salary as a member of the station staff. Puetic Acts: OF 1911, CHAP. 227, SEC. I. The board of control of the Connecticut agri- cultural experiment station may, in its dis- cretion, appoint an assistant state forester, to hold office during the pleasure of the board, who shall receive no compensation other than his regular salary as a member of the station staff. Sec. 2. Said assistant state forester shall act under direction of the state forester, and by his direction or in his absence shall exer- cise the powers and duties of the state forester and state forest fire warden. SEC. 4449 (as amended by Sec. 3, Chap. 132, Public Acts of 1903, and Chap. 115, Pub- lic Acts of 1911). The state forester may State Forester, Assistant State Forester. Duties and powers of Assistant State Forester. State Forester authorized to purchase land for State Forest. 32 buy land in the state suitable for the growth of oak, pine or chestnut lumber, at a price not exceeding eight dollars per acre, to the amount of the appropriation for that pur- pose, which land shall be deeded to the state and shall be called a state forest. He may plant such land with seed or seedlings of such trees as he may deem expedient, ex- change the lands so bought with adjoining proprietors, and for and in behalf of the state execute deeds for such purpose; fence said lands with substantial wire fencing, not barbed; protect said lands from forest fires - and trespassers; preserve the game, fish and timber thereon and may employ such local assistants as may be necessary. He shall Statetopay be the custodian of such lands and shall pay faxestotown from the sum biennially appropriated the town taxes upon said land when assessed at the same rate as similar adjoining lands, and, with the approval of the governor and attor- ney-general may sell portions of the same, when they shall command a greater price than cost and interest thereon, and may execute a deed thereof, for and in behalf of the state. Note.—The amendment of 1903 increased the maximum price per acre from $2.50 to $4.00 and changed the name from “park” to “forest.” The IQII amendment increased the maximum price per acre to $8.00. 33 Sec. 4450. The disbursements of the state forester shall be paid by the comptroller upon the audit of the state board of control. Pusiic Acts OF 1903, CHAP. 132, SEC. I. The state forester is authorized to make thinnings in the woodland of the state forest and to take such other measures as he may deem necessary to bring about a profitable growth of the timber thereon. Sec. 2. The state forester is authorized to sell wood and timber from the state for- est whenever he shall deem such sale desir- able, the proceeds of which sales shall be used by him for the maintenance and care of the forest as specified in this act and in section 4449 of the general statutes as hereby amended, and he shall render an account of the same to the state board of control. mec. 3. - (See note page 32.) SPpeciAL Act oF 1911. The following sum is hereby appropriated to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appro- priated, in full compensation for the objects hereinafter specified for the two fiscal years ending September 30, 1913: For the main- tenance and improvement of the state forests, as authorized by section 4449 of the general statutes and amendments thereof and section 4450 of the general statutes, for protecting Finance, etc. Thinnings. Timber Sales. Appropriation for State Forester. Appropriation for Purchase of State Forests. Tree planta- tions not taxed. 1877, 1886, Rev. 1888, §3825. Species exempted. Number per acre. Height of trees, 34 said forests, for planting and other cultural operations, for surveying, for paying taxes as required by said section 4449 and amend- ments thereof, for the expense of necessary assistance, for the dissemination of informa- tion to land owners of the state concerning forestry, and for conducting scientific experi- ments in forestry, three thousand dollars. SPECIAL ACT OF 1909, SEC. 2. The sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appropriated to be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, as a special fund for the purchase of state forests as authorized by section 4449 of the general statutes, said sum to be available until expended by the state forester in accordance with the provisions of section 4450 of the general statutes. GENERAL STATUTES, SEC. 2320. When any person shall plant land not heretofore wood- land, the actual value of which, at the time of planting, shall not exceed twenty-five dol- lars per acre, to timber trees of any of the following kinds, to wit: chestnut, hickory, ash, white oak, sugar maple, European larch, white pine, black walnut, tulip or spruce not less in number than twelve hundred to the acre, and such plantation of trees shall have erown to an average height of six feet, the owner of such plantation may appear before 35 the board of relief of the town in which such plantation is located, and, on proving a com- pliance with the conditions herein, such planta- tion of trees shall be exempt from taxation of any kind for a period of twenty years next thereafter. Pupiic Acts OF IQII, CHAP. 205, SEC. I. Any tract of land, consisting of one acre or more, hereafter planted with forest trees, in the proportion of not less than twelve hundred trees to the acre, and such planting having been approved by the state forester as herein- after provided, and such tract being continued as a tree plantation, shall be exempt from all taxation, from and after the second day of October next following such planting, dur- ing the continuance of such tract as a wood or timber lot; provided, that such exemption shall not continue for a period of more than twenty years. SEc. 2. The exemption provided by this act shall not apply to tree plantations exempted from taxation under the provisions of section 2320 of the general statutes, and the exemp- tion provided by said section 2320 shall not apply to tree plantations exempted from taxa- tion by the provisions of this act. SEC. 3. The state forester shall examine any tree plantation on request of the owner thereof claiming exemption from taxation Exemption to be 20 years. Tree plantations not taxed, rorr. Application of provisions of act. State Forester to examine lands claimed to be exempt, Expense incurred by State Forester to be paid by State, Land used for water supply purposes. State to pay taxes to town on State forest lands. Geological survey. Arbor day. 36 thereon under the provisions of this act, and if he approve the manner in which trees have been planted on such plantation and finds that the same complies with the requirements of this act, he may issue to such owner a certificate to that effect, and, on presentation of such certificate to the assessors of the town in which such plantation is located, said lands shall be exempt from taxation as hereinbefore provided. + Sec. 4. The expense incurred by the state forester in making the examination provided for by this act shall, subject to the approval of the board of control, be paid by the state. Note.—Sec. 2321 provides that land taken by a municipality for water supply shall not be taxed when the inhabitants of the town in which such land is situated have the right to use the water on the same terms as the inhabitants of the municipality. Note.—In revised statutes, Sec. 4449, it is provided that the state forester “shall pay from the sum biennially appropriated the town taxes upon said land (state forest land) when assessed at the same rate as similar adjoining lands.” Notre.—Laws of 1903, Chap. 133, Sec. 2, provides that the Geological and Natural History Survey shall investigate the economic and educational value of the forest resources of the state. Note.—Revised Statutes, Sec. 4438, provides that the Governor shall annually by proclamation in the spring provide for Arbor day and its observance. 37 Pustic Acts OF 1905, CHAP. 277 (as amended by Chap. 2, Public Acts of I9gI1). The selectmen in every town shall cause to be cut, at least once in each year, all bushes, trees, and branches of trees growing within ten feet of the center of the travelled way within the limits of the public highways in their respective towns, and shall, within thirty days thereafter, cause all brush so cut to be piled and burned. The term “public high- ways” as used in this section shall be con- strued to mean and include only the main highways leading from one town to another. Sec. 1218 of the General Statutes is amended by Chap. 238, Sec. 7, Public Acts of 1905, to read as follows: Every person who shall set on fire any woods, or stack of hay or grain, so as thereby to occasion injury to another; * * * * shall, if such act is done willfully, be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. SEC. 1219. Every person who shall will- fully and maliciously burn or otherwise destroy or injure any bridge, lock, dam, or flume, or any pile or parcel of wood, boards, timber, or lumber, of another, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or im- prisoned not more than seven years, or both. Brush cut on public highway by Selectmen to be piled and burned within thirty days thereafter. Willful firing of timber. Malicious injury to bridge, lock, dam or wood. Fire on land not one’s own. Caution requir- ed in setting fires. Fires caused by lighted match, etc, Railroads liable for damage by forest fires com- municated by railroad engine. 38 Sec. 1220. No person shall kindle a fire upon public land, without authority, nor upon the land of another without permission of the owner thereof, or his agent. SEC. 1221 (as amended by Chap. 43, Public Acts of 1907). No person shall kindle, nor authorize another to kindle a fire in his wood- land, unless all combustible materials for the space of twenty feet surrounding the place where said fire is kindled have been removed, nor shall any such fire be left until extin- guished or safely covered. SEC. 1222 (as amended by Chap. 238, Sec. 8, Public Acts of 1905). Fires kindled by throwing down a lighted match, cigar, or other burning substance, shall be deemed within the provisions of Secs. 1220 and 1221, and every person violating any provision of said sections shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. Sec. 3779. When property is injured by fire communicated by an engine of a railroad company, without contributory negligence on the part of the person entitled to the care and possession of such property, such company shall be held responsible in damages to the extent of such injury to the person so injured. Every such company shall have an insurable 39 interest in the property for which it may be so held responsible in damages and may procure insurance thereon in its own behalf. Sec. 3780 (as amended by Chap. 212, Pub- lic Acts of 1911). No action shall be brought under section 3779 of the general statutes unless written notice of the claim is given to such company within twenty days after the fire, specifying the day of the fire, giving a general description of the property injured, and stating the amount claimed as damages. Such notice may be given by a letter signed by the claimant or his agent, mailed to the superintendent of the railroad, or delivered to its station agent at a station in the town where the fire occurred. Note.—Pustic AcTs oF 1911, CHAP. 114. Expenses of extinguishing woodland and brush fires caused by sparks of locomotives, etc., to be paid by railroad company. (See p. 47.) SEC. 1237 (as amended by Chap. 238, Sec. 9, Public Acts of 1905). Every person who shall, willfully, and without color of right, cut, destroy, or carry away any trees or tim- ber of the dimensions of four inches diameter, or more, or any hoop-poles standing on the land of another, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than ninety days, or both. Notice required in claim for dam- ages from fire caused by rail- road locomotive. Liability of rail- road companies for fires caused by sparks from its locomotives, etc. Cutting trees on land of another. Damage for spreading fire. Penalty for kindling fire in the open air where same results in injury. Penalty for kin- dling fire outside of city or borough limits or fire dis- trict or land con- trolled by rail- roads, without permit. 4O SEc. 1096. Every person who shall set fire on any land, that shall run upon the land of any other person, shall pay to the owner all damages done by such fire. Pusiic AcTs OF 1909, CHAP. 128, SEC. 3. Every person who shall kindle or authorize another to kindle, at any time, a fire in the open air, which fire occasions an injury to another, shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. SEC. 4 (as amended by Sec. 2, Chap. 124, Public Acts of 1911). Every person, except as hereinafter provided, who shall kindle or authorize another to kindle a fire in the open air, outside the limits of any city, borough, or fire district,* or land controlled by any rail- road company, for the purpose of burning bushes, weeds, grass, or rubbish of any kind, between the fifteenth day of March and the first day of June, and the fifteenth day of September and the fifteenth day of November, in any year, without first obtaining from the fire warden of the district written permission stating when and where such fire may be kin- dled, shall be fined not more than two hundred *Refers to organized fire district provided for under Secs. 1998 and 1990, General Statutes, and not forest fire district under the charge of district fire warden. 41 A dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both; provided, that such permis- sion shall not be required for the kindling of a fire in a ploughed field, garden, or public highway, at a distance of not less than two hundred feet from any woodland, brushland, or field containing dry grass or other inflam- mable material. SEc. 5 (as amended by Sec. 3, Chap. 124, Public Acts of 1911). Whenever the state fire warden shall deem that the public safety of any town or portion of a town of this state does not require the protection provided by section four of this act, he may cause the town fire warden of any such town to post notices to that effect in conspicuous places, not less than five in each town, or two in each fire district.* Whenever such notices have been posted, each town or the designated portion thereof so affected shall be exempt from the operation of the provisions of sec- tion four of this act until the fifteenth day of March of the next succeeding year. Sec. 6. In the absence of any fire warden to take control of a wild fire, it shall not be unlawful for any person to kindle a fire at any time on his own land, public land, or the * Refers to forest fire district—(See Public Acts of 1905, Chap. 238, Sec. 3.) Exception. Exemptions from provisions con- cerning kindling of fires. Backfiring, when permissible. Disposition of fines. State Forester to be State Forest Fire Warden. Duties. 42 land of another with the consent of the owner or occupant thereof, for the purpose of backfiring to protect property from the threatened and immediate injury of a wild fire. SEC. 7 (as amended by Sec. 4, Chap. 124, Public Acts of 1911). All moneys received from fines imposed under and by virtue of the provisions of sections three and four of this act shall be paid to the state treasurer, and shall form a part of the fund provided for in section six of chapter 238 of the public acts of 1905, and shall be disbursed in the same manner as is provided in said section six. Puptic AcTs OF 1905, CHAP. 238, SEG ates The state forester shall be, ex officio, state forest fire warden, and shall receive no additional compensation therefor, but shall receive his necessary traveling and other expenses, to be paid in the manner provided for in section 4450 of the general statutes. Sec. 2. Said forest fire warden shall have supervision of town fire wardens, shall instruct them in their duties, enforce the law as to fire districts in towns, issue such regulations +In the absence of the State Forester or by his direction the assistant state forester shall exercise the powers and duties of state forester and state forest fire warden. (See p. 31.) ol “> 43 and instructions to the town and district fire wardens as he may deem necessary for the purposes of this act, and cause violations of the laws regarding forest fires to be prosecuted. Sec. 3 (as amended by Public Acts of 1907, wap. 130, atid by Public Acts of 1909, Chap. 19 and 128). The selectmen of any town, except as hereinafter provided, shall, upon the request of the state forest fire warden and with his concurrence, appoint a town fire warden who shall act for the term of one year, or until his successor shall have been appointed, under the instructions of said state warden. When required by the state warden, such town fire warden shall, and any such town fire warden may, establish two or more fire districts in the town for which he is appointed, and appoint a resident of such district as district fire warden; in the absence of town and district fire wardens, the first selectman may act as fire warden. In towns having a consolidated town and city government where the boundaries and limits of said town and city are coterminous, the chief of the fire department of the city shall be, ex officio, town fire warden and _ shall possess all the powers and be subject to all the duties provided by this act, under the supervision of the state forest fire warden. Selectmen to appoint town fire wardens. District wardens. Chief of fire dept. in cities. Duties of town and district fire wardens. Arrest without warrant. Patrol. Measures of preventing fire. May summon assistance. 44 SEc. 4 (as amended by Public Acts of 1907, Chap. 136). Town and district fire wardens shall prevent and extinguish forest fires in their respective towns, and enforce all statutes of this state now in force or that may hereafter be enacted for the protection of forest and timber land from fire, and they shall have control and direction of all per- . sons and apparatus while engaged in extin- guishing forest fires, outside the limits of boroughs. Any fire warden may arrest, without a warrant, any person or persons taken by him in the act of violating any of the said laws for the protection of forest and timber lands, and bring such person or per- sons forthwith before a justice of the peace or other magistrate having jurisdiction, who shall proceed without delay to hear, try, and determine the matter. During a season of drouth the town fire warden may establish a fire patrol in the town, and in case of fire in or threatening any forest or woodland the town and district fire wardens shall attend forthwith, and use all necessary means to confine and extinguish such fire. The said fire wardens may destroy fences, plow land, or, in an emergency, set backfires to check any fire. They may summon any male resi- dent of the town between the ages of eighteen and fifty years to assist in extinguishing fires, 45 and may also require the use of horses and other property needed for such purpose; any person so summoned and who is physically able who refuses or neglects to assist or to allow the use of horses, wagons or other material required, shall be liable to a penalty of not less than five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars. No action for trespass shall lie against any person crossing or work- ing upon lands of another to extinguish fire. SEc. 5 (as amended by Public Acts of 1907, Chap. 136, and by Public Acts of 1909, Chap. 128, Secs. 1 and 2, and by Sec. 1, Chap. 124, Public Acts of 1911). The town and dis- trict fire wardens shall receive thirty-five cents per hour for time actually employed at forest fires or in the prevention thereof, or otherwise devoted to discharge of duties as fire warden, but the chief of the fire depart- ment of any city, while acting as town fire warden under this act, shall not receive such compensation in cases where a regular salary is received by him. The selectmen, except in towns having a consolidated town and city government as hereinafter provided, shall fix the compensation, not exceeding twenty cents per hour, to be paid to laborers at forest fires, employed by the fire wardens or their deputies, and shall give notice thereof to the town fire warden and the state forest fire Compensation and expenses for extinguishing or preventing forest fires, how paid. Bills submitted to State Forest Fire Warden for ex- amination and record; returned to Selectmen for audit ; paid by town treasurer. Bills for extin- guishing fires in adjoining town. 46 warden; but if the selectmen neglect to fix such compensation the town fire warden may pay at the rate of twenty cents per hour for such services. Said wardens shall prepare their bills for services rendered by them and by the men, teams, and other apparatus em- ployed by them as provided by this act, within one month of the date of such services, which bills shall show in detail the amount and char- acter of the services performed, the exact duration thereof, and all disbursements made by said wardens; said bills shall be submitted to the state forest fire warden for examination and record and shall be returned by him to the selectmen of the town wherein the services were rendered and expenses incurred, and upon approval by the selectmen said bill shall be paid by the town treasurer. Whenever a fire warden, either alone or with assistants, engages in extinguishing a fire in a town adjoining his own, he shall prepare his bill against the town in which such services were rendered, and, if correct, it shall, after being submitted to the state forest fire warden and approved by the selectmen, be paid by the treasurer of the town in which the fire occurred. A copy of each bill so paid by the treasurer of any town, under the provisions of this section, shall be sent by said treasurer to the county commissioners of the county in which the town is situated, and the commis- 47 sioners shall thereupon draw their order on the county treasurer in favor of said town for one-fourth of the amount of such bill. A statement, upon blanks furnished by the comptroller, with duplicate bills, showing the amount paid by such town as aforesaid during the preceding year shall be sent by the town treasurer to the state comptroller on the first day of June, annually, and he shall there- upon draw his order on the state treasurer in favor of such town for one-fourth of said amount. In towns having a consolidated town and city government, where the boun- daries and limits of said town and city are coterminous, the mayor and treasurer of the city shall perform all the acts required by this section to be performed, respectively, by the selectmen and treasurers of towns. Pusiic ACTS OF IQII, CHAP. I14, SEC. I. Any railroad company which, through any act of its employees or agents, by sparks from its locomotives, or otherwise, sets fire to trees, brush, or grass on lands outside the right of way of such company shall be liable to the town or city in which such fire occurs for the lawful expenses incurred by such town or city in extinguishing such fire. Sec. 2. A bill for such expenses shall be rendered by the local fire warden having charge of the extinguishing of such fire, in County and State each bear one- quarter of the expense. Railroad Com- panies liable for expenses of ex- tinguishing fires caused by loco- motive sparks, etc. Fire Warden to render bill for ex- penses of extin- guishing railroad fires. Duty of Section foreman with regard to fires. Special fund. 48 accordance with the provisions of chapter 238 of the public acts of 1905 and amendments thereof, and, upon approval of such bill by the state forest fire warden, and upon presenta- tion thereof to the chief engineer of the rail- road company liable for such expenses under the provisions of section one of this act, such expenses shall be paid by said railroad company. Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of every sec- tion foreman employed by a railroad com- pany, upon the discovery of any fire, in the section under his jurisdiction, for which said company is liable under the provisions of sec- tion one of this act, to summon necessary assistance, proceed to the fire and extinguish it, and to give such assistance to the town or district fire warden as may, from time to time, be requested by such warden. Sec. 4. This act shall take effect from its passage. Approved June 28, 1911. Pusiic ACTS OF 1905, CHAP. 238, SEC. 6. All moneys received from fines imposed under and by virtue of the provisions of sections 1218, 1222 and 1237 of the general statutes shall be paid to the state treasurer and kept by him as a separate fund, to be paid out by him upon the requisition of the 49 state forest fire warden, for use in connec- tion with and the prevention and suppression of forest fires, and such disbursements shall be audited by the state board of control as provided in section 4450; provided, that the state forest fire warden shall pay one-half of the amount collected as a fine to the fire Reward for in- , formation. warden or other person upon whose informa- tion the proceedings in which such fine was imposed and instituted, but not exceeding fifty dollars in any one case. Note.—Sec. 7 amended Sec. 1218 of the General Statutes by increasing the fine of two hundred dol- lars to one thousand dollars. NotEe.—Sec. 8 amended Sec. 1222 of the General Statutes by increasing the fine from fifty dollars to five hundred dollars and the imprisonment from thirty days to six months. Note.—Sec. 9 amended Sec. 1237 of the General Statutes by increasing the fine from twenty dollars to two hundred dollars. SEc. 10. The town and district fire war- Posting of dens shall post such notices, containing the "°"°* state laws concerning fires, as the state fire warden may prepare, and any person who willfully or maliciously tears down or de- stroys any such notice shall be fined ten dollars. Sec. 11. All acts or parts of acts incon- Inconsistent sistent with the provisions of this act are ‘*”s™*Pese¢. hereby repealed. Power of state forest fire warden with regard to control and pre- vention of forest fires. 50 . Pusiic ACTS OF IQII, CHAP. 292, SEC. I. The state forest fire warden may take such action as he may deem necessary to provide for the prevention and control of forest fires - in groups of towns, and is hereby authorized Patrolmen may arrest without warrant. Disbursements of state forest fire warden, how paid. to enter into an agreement with the secretary of agriculture of the United States, under authority of the act of congress of March, 1911, for the protection of the forested water- sheds of navigable streams in this state. Said state forest fire warden may appoint patrolmen, who shall receive not more than twenty-five cents per hour for time actually employed, and may establish and equip fire lookout stations and furnish necessary equip- ment for such patrolmen. Sec. 2. Any patrolman appointed for such purpose by said state forest fire warden may arrest, without warrant, any person taken by him in the act of violating any of the laws of this state for the protection of forest and timber lands. SEc. 3. The disbursements of the state forest fire warden in carrying out the purposes of this act shall be paid by the state from the appropriation for fire wardens. Sec. 4. This act shall take effect from its passage. Approved, September 26, I9I1T. INDEX ae) Numbers in heavy face indicate pages in the hs } Page ; “Appointments: RG a oa an sa Capes ss buy bjee 6 od eee es 31, 42 Mmrrage state POrester .. ec ce cw ee 31 Memperorest Fite Warden. 2220200 ili ieee. 42 Mumemrtiine: Wardens ..........6. 0020.00. 3; 16, 19; 43 Mueetienerire Wardens...) tlic)... 4, 9, 43 SE EC la 50 so ees cle cc cece cs teae es 33, 34 eo aot io a tiac¥ie aia 'e ea sD gigiaeeee 82's 36 Suemeer and Prosecution ...................... Be a, ol, 24 i Mewmitnout Warrant 2.1)... 20)... ko 5, 44, 50 Se.) COMPilsory re te woe 5, 44, 45 A BEMMtate POTeSter . 2... 2... ose eek ee aes 31, 42 Backfiring oo SEE TEN RUBLES Ha a ia ner ee aa Oe 14, 41, 42 Iter SS es Sy Las i vss oe 19 Smalls for Fighting Fires ............. 17, 18, 20, 23, 46, 47 Seeerrarainineg TOWN ..... 2. e.. awe cee ne ee cde 18, 46 : Ee a i le fond ao see net 39, 47, 48 _ Reimbursement 18 BN RE PT RS Oa a IR 47 a Cities and Towns—Coterminous ......... 4; 18; 19; at 43 Fs WNen-Cotermningus: i... ob. dees 18 ¥ Meemiterence of Wardens ........... ccc. ccccctceees 10 f go Page Cooperation: Lookout ‘Stations .)..: 2. co. 2 eee I2 Between Towns vo jorec 0 ak 3 een eee 10,28 Paha es ie Cs oF ah a a 23, 24, 27 Railtaads © oi. visos ci tee ce lg eee 15 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’). ..2-- 7.0 eee 50 Cutting Timber on Another’s Land ................ 39 Damaces—General’o00...23. 256. 4sc5 ae eee 16, 25, 40 Railroad: Fires < ..:..)..o2:4.000 2 eee 38, 39 Districts.eForest Fire .)..005 65.3. Ses sees eee 3, 4, 0, ae Disbursement of State Forester—How Paid ........ 33 Pauipment seve wavs awe Gate naan ae eee Il, Tacee Expenses of State Forester and State Forest Fire Warden fc. sis wie dd emus oa eee ee ee 36, 42 Pines, Disposition ‘Of ss i see ee eee 7, 22, 42, 48, 49 Fire Department Chiefs of Coterminous Cities and Towtis eels occ cae tee ee eee 4, 15, 18, 19, 43 Fires: Adjoinine Towns .i..0 s,s Css. tec ee eee 46 Authorized: Caution enjoined ..:.<.:.-.2essue 24, 38 Caused by Lighted Match, ‘ete. 2.3.5. eee 5, 38 Biche ihe 4wciee oe eee ee eee eee eee 12, 13, t4 Incendiary © 2.05.5 .a.300.5 ocak Sek ee a7 Tayurime Others: 222 025 :scow pen ee ee ee 40 Permits Requited ‘oo 2.0.5. bs ee eee eee 40, 41 TRAMP ORR UWS os be os a cde ee 38, 39, 47, 48 Ketords and Reports 3.20.4. 00. .3e.5 see eee 16 Unauthorized «2.052564 ss os Heel Se ee ee 25, 38 Forest Resources, Investigation ‘of ... 2. /.. 38, 39, 40, 41 Seesor Mmindling Fires ............ Peas Rr oy oe a ations Exempt from Taxation ...... Pe owe ph eee Cea | METI ICC oe eis eee ec ee. Eeyaae 540; 44 SNE US kt ee oe beh high eice 21,39. 34 ea ee ee 17, 18, 48 ccc ek ave veas lean us 15, 48 MEE Sealer 2 ae a es ay as in be ks OK gE 38, 39 ROE as CR STA er i 15, 17 ™) Section Men to Assist Wardens .............. 48 TTS FS a a ¢ > 16 mbursement by State and County to Town .... 47 BEELOLINATION <2... 00). s ese wees 49 Seeeorester ......... een ie setae hs. ern Sig 31, 42 Muerercan Pire Warden .................066. 42, 43, 50 State Forests: MUEIESIEINTIONS —. 6... we tke esac news as) 34 is ee iw ka alae wed cers wa as Sa. 34 IE eos seek as ee is ve ed eh eet oe 31, 32, 34 PEC AMEMO brs cc wes ne de cates sd telae ws 32 MI Nie ew e's Fale ows be wien abla ae 32 Seenninning ........... Ea PRES ae er ira FOR 33 een cs bee eiv'ts se ecyeceges 33 rc gi. 8 2 SEs a 4p easy veh os ae so oo ws 15 Si TE baa Memon, Mxemption from ........... 0.0.06 .. «+34, 35, 36 10 yg oe ied veces cage deeb ans Sung Ua Page Wardens: APPOMIRENES | (5.78 eee hee 3, 4, 9, 18, 19, 43 BAGGOS io su diad jascins de soeldcoe uae 19 CONTETERCE § 34). 5 2.2. Soa San eden eee 10 Coepersiea | 2/65. Ab ee eee 10, Ti, 12,55 PISERIOTS 3k x ows ee Pa as oe eee eee 3, 4, B 10 POUMCS iris ko oes a's oe 82 o/s en 4, 44, 49 EPORGUE 625.5 ci Ss ate eee OM eee Scneee II Pay oo ics dk ebakte le cena eee 15, 45 POWs i wa aks Se ae ee 4 SUD PMCS aa ais sowie kb dee ees ke Ge 15 Telephones: v0 005.0555 5 ea ee ie) ets + #aNy eR XY Vaud Yy ‘J Veethy Aty! PRAY RAT ALT Js Pet Suh ay , 14 I 1 My Any : u ’ Me Cea 13 es Par oe eA, elt ‘4. CW, h DAVAS Ni th $ eas Vie Wage i Wy " eal, Kp) Rot 4 x ar { 44) yr 64 oa Lh} :