600 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



In addition to the lookout men, a riding patrol is maintained upon each 

 of the fire districts. This patrol consists of one or two men, depending upon 

 the tire danger in that particular district. The patrol men ride over the district 

 each day, always reporting to the supervisor by telephone two or three times 

 a day in order that the supervisor may keep in touch with them and that 

 they may be notified of any fire reported by the lookout men. The patrol- 

 men not only keep a careful lookout for fire, but also make it a point to 

 interview camjiers and forest users, ascertaining their names whenever it 

 seems advisable and giving instructions concerning camp fires, etc. The 

 riding patrol is exceedingly effective in securing the campers' compliance 

 with the fire laws, in view of the fact that the penalty for leaving camp fires 

 unextinguished is now very heavy and there is always more or less uncer- 

 tainty as to just when the patrol man is liable to appear. 



In addition to the lookout men and riding patrol upon the fire districts, 

 fire companies are being organized which will be in readiness to respond to 

 the fire call at a moment's notice. They consist of from 10 to 15 picked 

 men, who may be employed at the saw mills, or at mining or logging opera- 

 tions, situated throughout the fire district. The number of these companies 

 depends of course upon the fire danger and upon the resources from which 

 they can be drawn. In some of the districts the companies are made up from 

 among the ranchei's who live in the district permanently. 



In the organization of the fire compani&s, especially at the mills and in 

 the case of lumber and mining companies, an agreement is entered into with 

 the boss of the operating camp to the effect that certain men, who have 

 been previously selected, shall respond immediately to any call for assistance 

 for fighting tire within certain parts of the fire district. If a fire is dis- 

 covered by the operating camp, the fire company immediately proceeds to 

 the fire without waiting for orders from a forest officer. It is previously 

 understood that the men composing this fire company will be paid by the 

 government for services rendered for fighting a forest fire which does not 

 threaten the property of the lumber or mining company. The particular 

 advantages of this organization are that the men undei-stand fire fighting 

 thoroughly and respond quickly because they are sui'e of receiving their pay, 

 while at the same time through previous arrangement no unnecessary incon- 

 venience is caused their employers. 



In addition to the patrol of the national foi-est administrative districts, 

 the Service is working in co-operation with the Western Pacific Railroad 

 Company, whose right of way extends across the entire forest. The company 

 holds its section foremen responsible for immediate action in fighting any 

 fire which may occur along its right of way. The train engineers and con- 

 ductors are instructed to rejiort to the nearest station agent all fires which 

 they observe. The station agent then promptly notifies the foreman in charge 

 of that section of the right of way upon which the particular fire is located, 

 and in addition notifies the supervisor by telegraph or telephone in order that; 

 if necessary, the Forest Service may render assistance. Through this co-opera- 

 tion the Western Pacific officials often communicate to the supervisor reports 

 upon fires which are entirely without their right of way, but which may 

 not have been ob.served by the forest patrol force. 



The effectiveness of the fire protection system upon the Plumas National 

 Forest is very well indicated by the fact that out of the 31 fires which 

 occurred during the month of July, the total area burned over was less than 

 111 acres; 7.5 per cent of these fires burned over less than one acre each, 

 and the largest fire burned over an area of less than 20 acres. 



