News Laws and Conservation
In response to the Great Hinckley Fire, in March 1895 the Minnesota State Legislature would debate a forest fire prevention bill. In April they passed Chapter 196 of the General Laws for 1895 which created a state system of fire wardens.
Supporters of the timber industry fought against this bill. Because of this the law did not create a forest commission. Instead, the state auditor was made the fire commissioner and he was allowed to appoint a deputy, called the chief fire warden. C.C.Andrews was named the state's first chief fire warden. Andrews accepted the job even though he knew his powers were limited. At times he would have to fight simply to keep the Legislature from abolishing his job. |
On October 7, 1910 the towns of Baudette and Spooner were struck by wildfires whose source were slash fires that had been left smoldering. The fire burned more than 30,000 acres of land and killed 42 people.
The Minnesota State Legislature decided enough was enough. On April 12, 1911 they passed Chapter 125 of the General Laws for 1911. This created what we know of today as the D.N.R Division of Forestry. In addition to wildfire prevention, the newly created service was put in charge of forest conservation. It began setting aside land for state forests and planting trees to replace those cut down by loggers. In 1924 the Minnesota State Legislature also passed a constitutional amendment to encourage reforestation.
C.C.Andrews was appointed forestry board secretary. When he left office he said, "Work to prevent fire is but one part of forestry. One of my duties was to bring the cause of forestry in all its phases before the public."
C.C.Andrews was appointed forestry board secretary. When he left office he said, "Work to prevent fire is but one part of forestry. One of my duties was to bring the cause of forestry in all its phases before the public."