value; it robs the forest soil of its ability to retain moisture, 

 and effectually prevents the reproduction of the forest, since 

 such fires destroy all tree seedlings before they have a chance 

 to get a good start. 



Lightning Caused Most Fires. 



In 1912, lightning caused more fires than any other agency, 

 followed closely by railroads, campers, and incendiaries, in 

 the order given. In 1913, however, the fires caused by light- 

 ning outnumbered the next nearest cause by more than three 

 to one, but the order railroads, campers, and incendiaries 

 remained the same as in 1912. A considerable decrease in 

 the proportion set by railroads and campers indicates, ac- 

 Of the 452 incerdiary fires, 128 were in Arkansas, 133 in Cali- 

 of the general public. 



Last year, as in 1912, California led all others in number 

 of fires, this lead being natural because California has such 

 a long dry season. It was followed by Arkansas, Arizona, 

 and Oregon, in the order named. Kansas, which had only one 

 fire in 1912, escaped without any in 1913. North Dakota re- 

 peated its record of 1912 and had no fires on its one small 

 forest. Not a single severe fire occurred during the year in 

 District 4, which includes Utah, Nevada, and Southern Idaho, 

 and in which a large proportion of the forests reported no 

 fires at all. 



Losses on Private Lands. 



There was proportionately greater loss on private lands 

 within the forest boundaries than on the public lands. It is 

 pointed out by the forest officers that these lands cover ap- 

 proximately 11 per cent of the total area included within the 

 forest boundaries, yet the area burned over on these private 

 lands was more than 25 per cent of all. The forest service 

 expended more than $30,000 in protecting the private lands 

 within the forests and lands adjacent to and outside of the 

 forests. In addition to this cost, services and supplies to the 

 value of more than $17,OCO were contributed by co-operation 

 for fire fighting on these areas. 



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