FOREST FIRES 



149 



On level, sandy soils, where fires run frequently and easily, 

 forests should be divided into relatively small areas of from 

 three hundred to six hundred acres in extent by fire lines. All 

 extensive plantations should also be protected by fire lines. 

 These lines need be only ten to fifteen feet wide. They should 

 have all growth removed except trees over four inches in diam- 

 eter, breast high, and the mineral soil exposed. Frequently this 

 can be accomplished by cutting out the brush and small trees 



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Fig. 53. A ground cleared fire line with the larger trees left standing on the line. The 

 shade checks the growth of grass and herbs which is apt to spring up on an open line. 



and then plowing the line. Once established in a sandy soil such 

 a line can be cheaply maintained by an occasional harrowing. 

 If plowing is impossible a clear line can be secured by burning 

 over the line or by hoeing and raking away the litter. If burned 

 over great care must be taken to prevent the escape of the fire. 

 Narrow lines should be raked free of litter on each edge of the 

 fire line and then the area inside burned over on a quiet day. 

 Roads make the best kind of a fire line and can, in many cases, 

 be utilized for this purpose. The original cost of construction 

 will vary greatly with the amount and character of the growth 



