22 FORESTRY ALMANAC 



FIRE PROTECTION IN NATIONAL FORESTS 



Fire is the lurking enemy of the National Forests. To guard 

 against this costly scourge sweeping the widespread areas of the forests 

 is a constant problem. It is complicated by remoteness, dry air and 

 light rainfall, mountain lightning and the carelessness of human 

 beings. During 1923 fires within the boundaries of the National 

 Forests covered an area of 373,214 acres. The destruction of timber 

 and property is set at $494,965,000, and the damage to young growth, 

 protection of watersheds and recreational facilities is incalculable 

 because intangible. It is estimated that 60 per cent, of these fires 

 were caused by man. 



To protect against and combat this menace to the forest wealth, 

 the Forest Service maintains an extensive organization. By means of 

 lookout towers, patrols and a comprehensive telephone system, the 

 word of a discovered fire is flashed to the fire-fighters. Airplanes 

 have been used with some success particularly when no fires are 

 already burning to detect fires. Experiments are being made with 

 the radio. Roads and trails are being built into the National Forest 

 areas so that burning areas may be reached more quickly. Tools for 

 the combat, and food for the combatants, are stored in various places. 

 During the danger seasons of the summer extra patrols and rangers 

 are added. 



Still the match carelessly thrown aside, the cigarette, cigar or pipe 

 ash dropped in the brush, the unquenched campfire, make waste. 

 Lightning, sawmills, railroad engines, slash burning and incendiarism 

 account for many of the fires. Methods are being employed through 

 spark arresters and similar devices to check fires from trains and mills. 

 Regulations are effected against slash burning. Vigilance is the only 

 weapon against lightning and the fire-setter. 



Through cooperation with the states, the Federal Government, 

 under the Weeks Law aids in protecting against fire on the forested 

 watersheds of navigable streams. Under this law the Secretary of 

 Agriculture is allowed to enter into cooperation with states maintain- 

 ing a system of fire control and spending at least as much as the 

 Federal Government. The Forest Service uses that fund to pay the 

 salaries of a certain number of state patrols. There has been a 

 steady increase in this work, and the Federal Government will con- 



