The New Hampshire Chapter had 20 paid members at the start of the year but one of our long time members passed away leaving us with 19. We continue to send complimentary newsletters to the Chief of Forest Protection (State), and to the Archeologist on the White Mountain National Forest.

During the past year FFLA brochures became available at a second Forest Service office and I hope to make them available at the new Supervisor's Office/Pemigewasset Ranger district office when it opens late this year. I again gave two slide presentations on fire towers in New Hampshire but so far as I am aware no new memberships resulted.

Great Hill fire tower built and operated by the State until 1974, now maintained by the Tamworth Conservation Commission was dedicated to the National Historic Lookout Register on October 5th. Forty folks gathered on the summit to enjoy views of the foliage, sip locally produced apple cider and dedicate the tower and a new trail. We learned of a former lookout who decided to do some clearing around the watchmans cabin burning not only the grass but the building itself along with his career.

The State operated most of their towers from April into October. A new tower cab was installed on Blue Job tower during the year and a new cab is planned for Croydon Peak for 2009. During the year 273 forest fires burned 140 acres in New Hampshire; all were human caused except for 2 fires caused by lightning which burned one acre. Rhode Island had the best fire record in New England with only 132 acres burned. Vermont only had 120 fires but 153 acres burned. Above average rainfall helped make these the lowest figures in several years.

These statistics do not include fires on the National Forests. The White Mountain National Forest had one fire which burned 54 acres while 4 fires burned 15 acres on the Green Mountain National Forest; all were human caused. Both the White Mountain National Forest and the State sent crews and other resources to help combat fires in California during the summer.