184 SEEDING AND PLANTING 



5. Methods of Protection 



Seeding and planting sites can be protected from fires by one 

 or more of the following methods: 



a. By eliminating the cause of fires. 



6. By the construction of fire lines, roads and trails that pre- 

 vent fires from spreading from adjacent lands. 



c. By maintaining facilities for fighting fires. 



6. Reducing the Fire Hazard by Eliminating the Cause 



Nearly all fires are caused by carelessness or the lack of neces- 

 sary precaution on the part of railroads, farmers, campers, and 

 sportsmen. Most states have laws regarding the careless han- 

 dling of fire on forest property, but in many instances they are not 

 adequately supported by public sentiment and consequently are 

 more or less ineffective. Public enlightenment on the necessity 

 for protection is necessary for the vigorous application of our 

 present laws. The thorough posting of the area artificially re- 

 generated is always useful in eliminating the cause of fire. The 

 posters should be durable, preferably of cloth, and well printed. 

 They should state the laws in relation to the setting of fire and 

 the penalty of their violation. 



7. Reducing the Fire Hazard by the Use of Fire Lines 



For the most part, in regions where artificial regeneration is in 

 progress the fires that occur start on adjacent property. When 

 the seeding or planting is protected by an open space over which 

 the fire will not extend there is little danger from fire. In farm- 

 ing regions the surrounding meadows and cultivated fields usually 

 provide ample protection. But when the young stand abuts on 

 an unprotected wood or other site over which fire readily runs, fire 

 lines are necessary and should be constructed as soon as the re- 

 generation is undertaken. A fire line is any kind of cleared strip 

 over which fire will not ordinarily extend (Fig. 31). 



Fire lines, as usually made in this country, vary in width from 

 6 to 60 feet. They are cleared of all inflammable material and 

 kept so during the fire season. The simplest lines are made by 

 plowing a double furrow or by raking a narrow strip free of in- 

 flammable material. The wider the cleared strip the more com- 



