PROTECTION OF FORESTS FROM FIRE 711 



Fully cleared fire lines should be over fire lines, but if the weather is very 

 cleaned off every year or two. The dry a much larger crew may be re- 

 leaves and other debris accumulating quired. 



upon them should be removed by burn- In very dry weather the burning is 



ing or otherwise, and in the case of best done early in the morning or in 



grubbed lines the soil should be stirred the late afternoon and evening. The 



over by raking or harrowing. air is moister and there is usually less 



The work of burning over the fire wind at those times, 



line can best be done in early spring. In California several interesting ex- 



The leaves and other debris will become periments in keeping down the brush 



dry on the open fire line sooner than in on the broad lines are being tried. One 



the adjoining forest or chaparral. The is to pasture on the line a flock of goats, 



aim should be to do the burning at which eat down the new weeds and 



exactly the time when there will be the sprouts, and trample the ground. An- 



least danger of the fire spreading to the other is to establish on the line a dense 



woods. It is, however, not always pos- growth of succulent herbaceous plants, 



sible to organize the crew so as to have which would tend to keep out ordinary 



the work done at the most favorable weeds and obviate annual or periodic 



period. In the case of an extensive grubbing. 



tract the work may be begun exactly The cost of constructing fully cleared 



on time, but the whole woods may be- fire lines varies enormously, just as 



come dangerously dry before it can be does the construction of a road or trail, 



finished. It is especially difficult to The cost of clearing the line depends 



carry out this work of burning over the upon the width, character, and quantity 



fire line in open pine woods on dry, of timber and brush to be cut, the 



sandy soil. quantity of tops to be disposed of, and 



When the burning has to be deferred the character and quantity of ground 



until the woods as well as the fire line debris, as well as the labor, the difficul- 



are dry, great care should be exercised ties of work, the efficiency of organiza- 



in the work. If the ground cover con- tion, etc. If the ground is grubbed, the 



sists of leaves or needles, the procedure cost is affected by the character of the 



is as follows : work done, the difficulties of working 



Narrow, cleared traces are made on the ground, and the topography. In gen- 

 each side of the fire line proper by rak- eral, the fire construction of an 8-foot 

 ing or brushing aside the leaves, or fully cleared line costs anywhere from 

 needles, and debris. Sometimes, in flat, $10 to $100 per mile. An average for a 

 level areas it is possible to make the second-growth woodlot would be from 

 trace by plowing one or two furrows. $30 to $50. If there is a good market 

 Usually these traces need be no more for cord-wood and other material, the 

 than a foot wide. A fire is set along timber might return 50 or 60 per cent, 

 the side of the fire-line. One or more of the whole cost. The wide fire lines 

 m.en follow this up, constantly brush- in southern California cost from $100 

 mg the burnmg or smoldering embers ^q ^^oo per mile. They are now cleared 

 toward the center of the fire Ime, the ^very two years at a cost of from $so 

 idea being to keep the fires confined be- ^^ ^ ^ ^^--^ ^^^ ^j^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^.^^^_ 



tween the traces. Other men follow -n 1 • 1 n 



1^1 • ^ „ 1 + 1 i.1 u • 4. nance will be progressively smaller 



behind and watch the burning area to 1 & .^ 



prevent a possible spread of fire. If *™"^ ^^^^ *° y^^^' 

 there is a strong wind, no burning 



should be done. If there is a slight Tree-ckarcd Lines 

 wind across the line, one trace may 



suffice on the lee side, and the burning By a tree-cleared line is meant one 

 should proceed against the wind. Under from which the trees and brush are re- 

 ordinary circumstances a crew of from moved, but from which no effort is 

 four to six men suffices for burning made to clear the leaves or other small 



