Historical Figures

Impact Upon Pinelands Forests and Fire Ecology

Lenape Indians (1500 BC-1600 BC)
used fire to drive game, clear areas for living and crop planting, and clear routes
for traveling

Iron Masters (1600-1800)
cut pine forests to produce charcoal and then used charcoal to smelt iron ore;
furnaces contributed to causes of forest fires

European Settlers (1600-1880)
used fire to clear areas for transportation, settlements, and farming; used wood
for heating homes and for their industries

Charcoal Makers(1740-1960)
called colliers; cut forests and used wood to make into charcoal which fueled the
furnaces and forges in the Pinelands

Ship Builders(1750-1900)
used pine, oak, and Atlantic white cedar as raw materials to build boats

Glass Makers(1700-1930)
used large amounts of pitch pine as a fuel source for fire because it produced a very
hot fire that is essential for glass manufacturing; furnaces contributed to causes of forest fires

Wood Cutters(1700-present)
cut forests of pine, oak, and cedar to supply the shipbuilding, iron, glass,
charcoal, and paper industries

Railroad Workers(1850-1930)
used wood from the Pinelands forests to supply fuel for steam engines and to make railroad ties; sparks from engines may have caused forest fires

Farmers(1650-present)
cut and burned forests in order to clear areas for growing crops; used wood to make
many agricultural tools

Present Day Figures

Botanists/Nature Lovers

appreciate and try to preserve the Pinelands as an important ecological. area

Bicycle Rider, Canoeist, Piker, Camper, Cross Country Skier

utilize the Pinelands as a recreational area; most of these people appreciate the value of this area and as such help to preserve it in its natural state; unfortunately some people abuse this area, destroy vegetation, and, through carelessness, cause forest fires

Hunters, Trappers

depend upon the wildlife of the Pinelands as a source of food and income; interested in preserving the forest because it is the home of the wildlife they depend upon

Fire Fighters

their occupation is preventing forest fires and putting them out if started

Foresters

a person in charge of a forest or trees; foresters sometimes engage in the practice of prescribed burning as a means of preventing forest fires

Tree Farmers

a person who grows trees for the purpose of selling them or for conservation reasons; tree farmers fear forest fires because they could destroy their entire crop of trees; several Christmas tree farms are found in the Pinelands

Pinelands Homeowner

a person owning a home in the Pinelands; the homeowner has cleared the land where his home is situated as well as land for a garden; homeowners may use wood from the forest in a fireplace or wood-burning stove; homeowners fear forest fires because they can destroy their residences and cause personal injury