520 Our Surroundings 



the people of the country. Consequently lumbering, though car- 

 ried on, is limited so that the new growth will replace what is 

 taken. As a further result of this protection the forest preserves 

 furnish pasturage for millions of heads of livestock, protect about 

 one-third of the sources of water power in the country, and furnish 

 a vacation land for hundreds of thousands of people every 

 year. 



Protection. The protection of the forests against the devas- 

 tating agencies of fire, insects, tree diseases, and unlawful trespass 

 are among the duties of the Forest Service. Of these duties fire 

 protection and fire prevention are by far the most important. 



Control of Forest Fires. Although great effort is made to 

 prevent the starting of fires in the forests, even with the best 

 precautions they do occur frequently. To control and put out these 

 'fires the Forest Service has formed an organization which may 

 be compared to the Minute Man organization of our colonial fore- 

 fathers. When a combination of weather conditions occurs, like 

 high wind, little humidity, and high temperature, an alarm is sent 

 to all the forest rangers to be especially watchful. This watch 

 is kept from tall towers built on high points of land, or from 

 airplanes. In these ways extensive views are had in every direc- 

 tion over the forest areas. Whenever telltale smoke or haze is 

 located, a warning is sent to the local chief of the Forest Service. 



When a fire is discovered the forest guards and the forest 

 rangers form the first line of defense in the fight, and if it proves 

 a large fire every available man is sent to assist. All labor in 

 saw mills and lumber camps ceases, so that every man may engage 

 in the fight. All the men from the villages and settlements near-by 

 aid in the fight, and as a last resort the United States Army is 

 called upon to overcome the fires. If the flames cannot be sup- 

 pressed by beating or smothering, efforts are made to keep the 

 fire from spreading. This is done by surrounding the fire or by 

 cutting off its advance with a trench, with a fire line, which is a 

 belt of burnt-over land, or with a firebreak, a belt of cleared or 

 plowed land. 



Safeguarding the Water Supply. The protection of the 

 regions that supply water, called watersheds, is closely connected 



