Fire losses are reported by calendar years, and not by fiscal 

 years. The calendar year 1910 was an exceptional one for 

 severity, and especially to be regretted is the large loss of life 

 which took place in the fight against the fires. 



The following summary will give a general idea of the acreage 

 burned over on the National Forests during the past three years 

 for which figures are available : 



Calendar Year. Timbered Area per locx) Acres. 



1910 19.90 



191 1 1.78 



1912 0.91 



Lightning, railroads and campers cause almost two-thirds of 

 the fires which occur. Half of the discovered fires burned over 

 much less than an acre, 25% burn over between 0.25-10 acres, 

 and the remaining 25% burn over more than 10 acres. About 

 3000 fires are annually fought on the National Forests. It is 

 difficult to get at the exact cost of fighting these fires, since the 

 time spent on them by regular forest officers is not considered in 

 the annual reports. 



The present efficiency in the protective work of the Forest 

 Service is due to : 



1. The rapid development of permanent improvements such 

 as' telephones, look-out stations, etc. 



2. Preparation of detailed fire-protection plans on a large num- 

 ber of forests and their rigid execution. 



3. Co-operation of private owners and railroads. 



Aside from protection from fire — there are also the following 

 phases of the protection problem : 



