238 



sirable to have mattocks and iron rakes, and there should always be 

 axes to aid in clearing brash or cutting through down-timber and old 

 tops. In the protection of woodlots in settled regions, every farmer 

 who repairs to a fire usually takes his own shovel, rake, ax, or other 

 implement. 



(4) It is important that there be in charge of the fighting crew 

 some one in authority to thoroughly organize the work. A small crew 

 well organized can do much more effective work than a loosely organ- 

 ized large crew. One of the advantages of the firewarden system 

 adopted in a number of states is that the warden has authority not only 

 to impress men to fight fire, but to direct their work. 



The efficiency of the fire-fighting crew depends very largely on their 

 skill and experience, and particularly on the skill and experience of the 

 man directing the work. It is not only a question of knowledge of how 

 to assign each man where his work will be most effective, but there 

 must be judgment exercised in determining the general method of 

 attack. The character of the fire, the character of the forest, the con- 

 dition of the atmosphere, the strength and direction of the wind, the 

 rapidity with which the fire is running, and many other points have to 

 be taken into consideration. 



(5) Small surface fires may often be beaten out. This is possible 

 when the fire is burning chiefly in a dry leaf-litter or short grass. 

 Where there are tops or piles of dry brush, or the fire is burning 

 through thick brush or undergrowth, beating is very difficult. 



There are various devices for beating. A blanket, coat, or riding 

 slicker is often used. A gunny sack is one of the best implements for 

 beating, particularly if it can be wet from time to time. A handful 

 of green brush serves also very well for a beating device. In beating 

 out a fire, one strikes the fire with a sideways sweep, driving the flames 

 and burning material back upon the burned ground. A direct stroke 

 scatters the fire. 



The best way to extinguish running surface fires is to throw sand 

 upon the flames. This method is, of course, practicable only when tne 

 soil is fairly clear of rocks and loose enough for ready digging. 



Loose loam is also very good, but not so effective as sand. Heavy 

 soil which clods is difficult to manipulate. Frequently sand or loose 

 loam can be dug up in spots, but it is too stony to secure it all along the 

 line of fire. The fighters must then supplement the use of sand or 

 earth with beating or other methods. A very good method, where 

 there is not much slash, is to make a narrow trace in front of the fire 

 by raking to one side the leaves and other litter. As soon as the fire 

 reaches the trace it is checked and readily beaten out. Sometimes, on 

 level land and in open woods, a furrow is plowed as an emergency 



