CHAPTER VI 

 THE GREATEST ENEMY OF THE FOREST FIRE 



Our forests are exposed to destruction by 

 many enemies, the worst of which is fire. From 

 8,000,000 to 12,000,000 acres of forest lands an- 

 nually are burned over by destructive fires. 

 These fires are started in many different ways. 

 They may be caused by sparks or hot ashes from a 

 locomotive. Lightning strikes in many forests 

 every summer, particularly those of the Western 

 States, and ignites many trees. In the South 

 people sometimes set fires in order to improve the 

 grazing. Settlers and farmers who are clearing 

 land often start big brush fires that get out of 

 their control. Campers, tourists, hunters, and 

 fishermen are responsible for many forest fires by 

 neglecting to extinguish their campfires. Sparks 

 from logging engines also cause fires. Cigar 

 and cigarette stubs and burning matches care- 

 lessly thrown aside start many forest fires. 

 Occasionally fires are also maliciously set by evil- 

 minded people. 



The officers of the National Forests in the 



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