774 Forestry Quarterly 



Canada has lost through forest fires in 1916 over nine million 

 dollars worth of timber, more than six times the amount spent on 

 forest protection. The big fire in Ontario's clay belt alone called 

 for the sacrifice of 262 lives and a destruction of property estimated 

 at six million dollars. 



Protection against forest fires from railroads has been effec- 

 tually secured in Canadian chartered roads due to superior organi- 

 zation and good will on the part of the companies in carrying out 

 instructions from the Board of Railway Commissioners and main- 

 taining speeder patrols. All fires discovered, some coming from 

 outside the right of way, this year were extinguished before material 

 damage was done. Settlers' clearing fires are now the greatest 

 hazard. 



The reasonable success of the forest fire-weather warnings of 

 the U. S. Weather Bureau forecasters of the West in 1913 and 1914, 

 has led to an extension of the service with increased appropria- 

 tions. Warnings of the probable occurrence of winds of sufficient 

 velocity to be dangerous make it possible to increase fire crews, 

 stop burning permits and take other precautionary measiu-es. 



As the article in this issue on fire season forecasts shows, a 

 seasonal prediction is as yet impractical. 



The Bell Telephone system of New Jersey exhibits the coop- 

 rative spirit for the protection of forests. The operators in each 

 central office have listed among the emergency calls the names of 

 one or more rangers who can be readily reached. Upon the report 

 of a fire being called in, the fire warden can be communicated with 

 without delay. In British Columbia also the telephone companies 

 report forest fires, operators being instructed to give precedence to 

 reports of fires. 



The Massachusetts Forestry Association is sending out a 

 sensible bulletin on the White pine blister rust scare intended to 

 alleviate the fears that White pine is doomed, that no more White 

 pine will be planted, that the whole forestry movement will be 

 discoiu-aged by this scare. Besides a vigorous campaign to control 

 the disease, the proposition is made to do henceforth planting in 

 mixture with Red pine, so that in 15 to 20 years by thinning 

 either the White pine if infected, or the Red pine may be taken 

 out. 



