(Prom the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 



San Francisco Office) 



FOREST FIRE SEASON 

 SETS EARLY START 



The first reports of forest fires have begun to come in txj 

 Washington from the national forcbts, ar,d they indicate to the fcder" 

 off Jeers an early start of the fire season with unfavorable weathe.,-. 

 conditions from the very beginning. In the rortliwest there was leL f 

 snow on the mountains at the end of the winter than for many years 

 past. Railroad rights of way which were last year deep in snow are 

 reported clear now and dry enough to burn readily. 



From the Canadian border to Mexico the reports are similar, 

 ' nd there have already "been extensive fires in California and Arisoc 



The chief forester reports, however, that the fire-figlt ing 

 forces of the Service are organized better than ever before, par- 

 ticularly in respect to the fire detection system of lookout stations 

 By means of these stations fires are reported quickly and accurately 

 so that the control forces may be on the ground at the earliest pos- 

 sible moment. 



In those states v:here the gravest danger threatens, especial 

 efforts are being made by the government foresters and by cooperative 

 fire protection associations organized among timoerland owners to se- 

 cure care with fire on the part of campers, prospectors, loggers, rr. 

 by railroads, The northwestern forestry and conservation associate 

 with headquarters at Portland, Oregon, is one of the leaders in this 

 campaign. 



142-F 



