AERIAL FOREST FIRE PATROL 775 



who had been accustomed to burn their slashing and clearing debris 

 without permit at any time that suited their fancy were always aware 

 of the fact that at any moment an airplane might pass overhead and 

 report their fires. Forest rangers who never before were called upon 

 to issue many brush disposal permits were literally swamped with 

 requests. This gave them an opportunity to confine the burning to 

 periods when the danger of a fire spreading and getting beyond control 

 was slight. 



Furthermore, all of the benefits of the patrol were not confined to 

 the forest protective agencies. The advantage of the patrol as a means 

 of training Air Service personnel is unquestioned. They may be called 

 upon at any moment for flying of a more combative nature and not be 

 found wanting. The patrol is a constant war game requiring the best, 

 effort of all concerned. The flying necessary in training produces good 

 flyers only ; in the patrol the same flying results not only in the training 

 of pilots, but at the same time accomplishes a needed and very much 

 worth while work. 



Notwithstanding the advantages of the aerial patrol over the look- 

 out system, in many instances it can not be supposed by even the most 

 enthusiastic advocate of aviation who knows the problem of fire pro- 

 tection that the aerial patrol should replace the lookout system. The 

 lookout system is the basis and will continue to be so. It is constantly 

 operative. However, as much as the lookout system is needed so also 

 is the aerial patrol. Each supplements the work of the other, and by 

 an efficient combination of the two systems, an organization can be 

 developed which will be able to find all of the forest fires before they 

 have gained sufficient volume to become dangerous. The future de- 

 tection systems of the forests should include both; the increased 

 promptness and the greater certainty in finding all fires will demand it. 



