FOREST FIRES 151 



ROADS AND TRAILS. 



Roads and trails are of great benefit in the prevention of fires, 

 not only serving for fire lines but furnishing means of communica- 

 tion between various parts of a forest. A large forest area with- 

 out such roads is very hard to protect, as a long time may be 

 wasted before men and tools can reach the source of danger. 



By permission of the U. S. Forest Service. 



Fig. 55. Fighting a ground fire by trenching through the thick duff to mineral soil. 



EXTINGUISHING FIRES. 



We have considered already the most efficient means of so 

 improving the condition of the forest that not only fires will burn 

 with less severity but that men can gain access to them more 

 easily. Even under the most favorable conditions a well- 

 organized fighting crew is also necessary, under the leadership of 

 someone who understands fire fighting. Certain equipment can 



