92 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



roads and trails serve also as an aid in attacking fires. The work of 

 constructing roads and trails has been pushed as fast as available 

 funds permitted. There have been so far built about 5,500 miles of 

 roads and 1G,000 miles of trails. Yet this is only a beginning when 

 the extent of the Forests is taken into consideration. 



In addition to roads and trails it is necessary to construct special 

 fire lines. These are cleared lines through the woods located at 

 critical points to supplement the system of roads and trails for fire 

 protection. They serve both to check fires and also as points from 

 which to fight them. Fire lines are being built as rapidly as possible. 

 The most extensive work has been carried on in southern California, 

 where the protection of the chaparral forests is of great unportance in 

 protecting the water supply. Fire Imes are also extensively built 

 along railroad rights of way and around lumber operations. The 

 burning of broad fire lines here and there at critical pomts in open 

 yellow pine forests has been undertaken and will be pushed with 



vigor. 



A second necessity in the organization of the Forest is a proper 

 equipment for the prevention of fires and for fighting such as may be 

 started. The most essential primary equipment is a s^-stem of 

 telephone lines connecting ranger headquarters and lookout stations. 

 The purpose of the telephone is to enable rangers and guards to give 

 quick notice of fires and to secure such assistance as is required. 

 There are already many instances where millions of dollars' worth of 

 Government timber has been saved through the use of such telephone 

 lines as have already been built. The total amount so far con- 

 structed comprises about 9,200 miles. The Forests are still very 

 meagerly equipped. 



The Forests should be equipped also with lookout stations. These 

 are usually located at high points from which it is possible to look 

 over a large area. At these lookout stations there should be at least 

 a small building equipped with a telephone. Frequently where it 

 has not been possible to build telephone lines, the lookout stations 

 are provided with the heliograph and other means for signaling. 

 Where the country is flat, watchtowers are built. 



An essential part of the equipment of a forest is a system of 

 properly located and well-equipped ranger stations. Many instances 

 have occurred during this season where fires which threatened enor- 

 mous damage were promptly extinguished because there was a ranger 

 stationed within striking distance. 



The equipment of the National Forests should comprise also an 

 ample supply of tools and other equipment necessary in fighting fires. 

 A beginning has been made in the estabhshment of small equipment 

 stations here and there along the roads and trails. These stations 

 consist of small buildings or tool boxes containing such equipment 



