THE GREATEST ENEMY OF THE FOREST FIRE 61 



to the forests. Exhibits are made at fairs, shows, 

 community meetings and similar gatherings, 

 showing the dangers from forest fires and how 

 these destructive conflagrations may be con- 

 trolled. Every possible means is used to teach 

 the public to respect and protect the forests. 



For many years, the United States Forest 

 Service and State Forestry Departments have 

 been keeping a record of forest fires and their 

 causes. Studies have been made of the length 

 and character of each fire season. Information 

 has been gathered concerning the parts of the 

 forest where lightning is most likely to strike 

 or where campfires are likely to be left by tourists. 

 The spots or zones of greatest fire danger are lo- 

 cated in this way and more forest guards are 

 placed in these areas during the dangerous fire 

 season. Careful surveys of this kind are aiding 

 greatly in reducing the number of forest fires. 



In trying to get all possible information about 

 future weather conditions, the Forestry Depart- 

 ments cooperate with the United States Weather 

 Bureau. When the experts predict that long 

 periods of dry weather or dangerous storms are 

 approaching, the forest rangers are especially 

 watchful, as during such times, the menace to 



