FIRE PROTECTION IN THE NATIONAL FORESTS 



By EARLE H. CLAPP. 

 Concluded from the October number. 



EQUIPMENT. 



E3R eflBcient fire protection it must be decided in advance what equip- 

 ment is necessary, and this must be obtained and so distributed as to 

 cause the least possible delay in case of fire. It is of the utmost im- 

 portance that so far as possible everything be made ready in advance. 



The construction of tool boxes at strategic points throughout the forests, 

 for instance, at the crossing of important trails, ranch houses, at section 

 houses in railroad patrol, etc., has already been discussed. 



During the past two years the equipment of tools on practically all the 

 forests has been materially increased for distribution to these tool boxes. 

 Standard sets for specified numbers of men have been worked out depending 

 upon the peculiar needs of each case. As everywhere in fire fighting, the 

 tools ordinarily used consist of shovels, rakes, hoes, saws, axes, mattocks, 

 picks, potato hooks, gunny sacks, squares of canvas, small Navajo blankets, and 

 files for sharpening tools. In addition cant hooks, lanterns, cooking outfits 

 and tents are furnished. Canteens and water bags must always be available. 

 Attempts have been made to improve the tools ordinarily on the market, but 

 so far except in the case of shoulder and saddle bags, with hose attachments 

 for direct application of water on the fire, and chemical apparatus, designed 

 by Supervisor Adams on the Arkansas National Forest, little progress has 

 been made. Considerable progress, however, has been made in the better 

 selection of the tools available in the markets. In addition to purchases, ar- 

 rangements are sometimes made in advance in emergency. Field glasses are 

 ordinarily supplied to lookouts and patrolmen who need them. 



Pack trains have sometimes been secured where there is valuable timber, 

 the danger from fires is great, and no other means of transportation is avail- 

 able. In several instances such pack trains have more than paid for them- 

 selves in fire protection and permanent improvement work during one season. 

 In some cases where it is easily possible to secure pack animals, it has been 

 necessary to purchase pack saddles, etc., and locate them at convenient places. 

 On many forests it lias been found desirable to make arrangements in ad- 

 vance for pack animals when there is any possibility that they will be needed. 



The effectiveness of a fire fighting force is greatly increased by proper 

 food supplies. Aside from the question of transportation various plans de- 

 pending upon local conditions have been devised for getting supplies to the 

 men quickly and cheaply. Very often arrangements are made in advance 

 with stockmen for the purchase of either beef or mutton on the range. During 

 the fire season rangers frequently purchase a larger amount of supplies than 

 usual for emergency use. Wherever advisable special arrangements are made 

 in advance at ranch houses, or at stores in order to make sure that suitable 

 supplies in suflflcient quantities can be obtained. It has been found helpful to 

 prepare for immediate use, lists of supplies which will be needed to furnish 



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