88 THE LOG OF A TIMBER CEUISER 



out waiting to finish supper, merely stuffing our 

 pockets with what food came handiest. For fire 

 brooks no delay and the same, on such occasions, may 

 be said of Forest Supervisors. 



A hike of three miles brought us to the edge of the 

 burning area, which appeared at this time to be one 

 hundred acres or more in extent. We saw at once 

 that we had to deal with what is technically termed a 

 " surf ace " fire, that is, the fire fed chiefly on brush 

 and the young growth of pine, ground cover and fal- 

 len logs, the litter covering the soil rather than like 

 "ground fire" actually getting a hold in the humus 

 and smouldering beneath the surface or like a 

 " crown fire" sweeping through the tops and 

 branches of the larger trees. 



When we arrived the fire was climbing toward the 

 top of Hillsboro Peak driven by a mild breeze from 

 the north. There was a fairly dense cover here 

 which made good fuel. Also the fire was ascending 

 and would therefore naturally travel faster than 

 when working on a level or down hill. So the flames 

 leapt merrily upward, sparks flew before, and it was 

 obvious that nothing effective could be done to check 

 their advance until the bright line of destruction 

 reached the crest of the mountain and started down 

 the other side. 



Reid joined us as soon as we came upon the scene. 

 He carried a long, steel shafted rake upon his shoul- 

 ders. He was dripping sweat and his face and 

 hands were blackened by smoke. 



