REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 93 



under an ordeal of the utmost severity, of fire-fighting methods and 

 needs, and also stimulated the men of the Forest Service to strain 

 every effort in a determined attempt to prepare for the occurrence 

 of similar conditions. By nearly doubling the appropriation for 

 permanent improvements, Congress made available funds which 

 were greatly needed for extending and supplementing the trail and 

 telephone systems and for equipping lookout stations. Plans framed 

 with a view to meeting all possible contingencies, and for coordinat- 

 ing all activities on the Forests in connection with the fire-protection 

 plans, were worked out in detail during the winter. At the opening 

 of the new fire season a notable advance had been made in the de- 

 velopment of a more highly organized and, for the means available, 

 efficient protective system. 



The results which have been obtained are a striking evidence of the 

 value of the preparations made. Final figures can not yet be given, 

 but it is certain that a record has been established that surpasses any- 

 thing previously achieved. TMiile in most National Forest regions 

 relatively favorable weather conditions prevailed, in Washington 

 and Oregon the season was even worse than that of 1910; but the 

 careful preparation, in the light of previous experience, made it 

 possible both to discover fires in their -incipiency and to concentrate 

 quickly upon them a capable fire-fighting force. When the regular 

 Forest force was insufficient to handle fires, arrangements made be- 

 forehand with settlers, lumber companies, mine operators, construc- 

 tion parties, and others enabled picked men to be quickly summoned. 

 Plans for provisioning and equipping with tools fire-fighting forces 

 and for transporting supplies and equipments from available bases 

 to the men on the fire line were carefully worked out. In short, the 

 object aimed at was that nothing should be left to chance or extem- 

 porized effort in the face of an emergency. The localities exposed 

 to greatest danger, either because of the existence of conditions cre- 

 ating a special risk of the outbreak of fires or because the damage, 

 should they gain headway, would be particularly severe, had been 

 ascertained and received special protection. Patrol of the Forests 

 was organized and distributed with a view to obtaining the largest 

 possible efficiency, and the construction of telephone lines and trails 

 was pushed where they were most needed. Lookout points and 

 watch towers, connected by telephone with the headquarters of each 

 Forest, were located in commanding positions and proved of invalu- 

 able assistance in the prompt discovery, precise location, and swift 

 reaching of fires. As a result of these careful preparations the fire 

 damage was greatly reduced. The fund of $1,000,000 made available 

 by Congress in case of extraordinar}'^ emergency was drawn upon 

 only to the extent of a few thousand dollars. In district 4 the 

 total extra charges incurred for figliting fires amounted to less 



