FIRE PROTECTION FOR FOREST LANDS 



285 



with uncertain result. In other words, are we going to spend thou- 

 sands of dollars now for protection with certain results or millions, 

 later on for artificial reforestation, with all its attendant uncer- 

 tainties, and chance the result? 



Most forested states of the Union have adequate laws for the 

 control of forest fires and in general they have been effective in. 

 operation. The General Code of Ohio contains no enactments de- 

 signed to control this evil. 

 Since forest fire control is the 

 basis of a program for forest 

 restoration the legislature 

 should be urged to enact laws 

 which shall be applicable to 

 Ohio conditions. 



Organization necessary for 

 fire control. Effective fire 

 control is made possible only 

 when all forest lands jeopard- 

 ized, whether of private or 

 public ownership, are required 

 to become part of an organ- 

 ized system. This involves 

 an organization which shall 

 prevent fires and also detect 

 and suppress those which 

 have started. The organiza- 

 tion to be effective must be 

 under the control of the State 

 and should be extended to 

 those townships requiring 

 protection. The township is 

 the logical unit and should be 

 in charge of a warden whose 

 duty it would be to enforce 

 the fire laws and to direct the 

 work of detection and suppression of fires. He should be paid for 

 the actual time employed at such work and should be allowed such 

 assistance as is necessary. 



Means should be provided for the prompt detection and sup- 

 pression of fires. During the seasons of danger, rangers should 

 patrol the lands where greatest risk occurs. There should be pro- 

 vided lookout stations located at salient points for observation, and 



A white oak scarred by repeated fires j 

 though alive it is practically worth- 

 less for any timber product 



