304 



ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



FOREST PROTECTION. 



PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 



Fires on the national forests in the calendar year 1922 compared 

 in number, size, and causes with those of the two previous years as 

 shown below. In the classification of causes for the 1922 statistics, 

 the fires of unknown causes were thrown under the designation 

 " Miscellaneous," and the old designation of " Campers," under 

 which had been included all fires due to picnickers, fishermen, and 

 other transients, gave away to the more restricted " Camp fires." 

 while a new class was created through provision for recording 

 separately fires traceable to smoking. In comparing the figures for 

 the three years, allowance must be made for these changes. 



Comparison of fires on national forests, calendar years 1920, 1921, and 1922. 



' Classification discontinued calendar year 1922. 

 2 New classifications beginning calendar year 1922. 



The 1922 fire season was marked by unusual weather conditions. 

 Fires occurred early in June in most of the districts, and a severe 

 fire season seemed in prospect, but rains and cooler weather in late 

 July and early August afforded a respite. The situation then be- 

 came critical again. No precipitation of any consequence occurred 

 during September and most of October— a very unusual prolongation 

 of the danger season. In district 4 (Utah, Nevada, southern Idaho, 

 and southwest Wyoming) the heaviest expenditures for fire fighting 

 were in late September and early October. In district 5 (Calif or- 



