IMPROVING FOREST FIRE PROTECTION 



BY M. B. PRATT 



t - me j ar g e iy de- j t was expressly stated that all views 



voted on National Forests to more efficient protection. The total area 



plans for the coming field season, no matter how visionary in character, 



The danger from fire past, the char- would be welcomed, since what might 



acter of the duties of the Supervisor seem a vision now might be a reality 



and Deputy Supervisor change from in a short time, if the changes which 



active, aggressive work in the field to have taken place the past few years are 



a comparatively quiet, thoughtful time to be taken as a guide. It was further 



in the office. Relieved from the con- requested that each man submit a map 



stant fire suspense, and his ears no illustrating his plan. 



longer continually tortured with the An outline accompanied the letter to 



jangling telephone bell announcing serve as a guide in making the ideal 



fresh sorrows, the Supervisor can now plans. This asked for a brief history 



think a few consecutive thoughts on of past season's fires in each district; 



one subject. The question of protec- that all hazards such as railroads, saw- 



tion is naturally the most vital one. He mills, summer camps, stockmen, mines 



reviews the past season's fire record in and towns, should be considered, es- 



his mind, and in the light of added ex- pecially old slashings ; that improve- 



perience, dispassionately sees things that ments needed for ideal communication 



should have been done and things that throughout the districts be specified; 



it were better to have left undone. This that the organization of patrols be de- 



may lead him to call a meeting of the scribed in detail; that the probable co- 



ranger force to help him get down to operation in fire fighting should be 



essentials. stated and that the cost of an ideal plan 



In a meeting recently held at Nevada be named. 



City, the headquarters of the Tahoe At the time set, ideal plans for the 



National Forest, protective measures seven districts in the Forest were in the 



were discussed at length. Fire working Supervisor's office. The task then was 



plans had been made for the past sea- to mill them over and evolve a second- 



son for each district by the office in ary fire working plan for the season, 



conjunction with the district rangers, correlating as much as possible the ad- 



and one of the objects of the meeting ministrative with the protective needs 



was to find out how they could be im- of the Forest. 

 proved upon. Jt was the general 



opinion that the plans were all right as A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW 



far as they went, but that it would be In order to obtain a proper compre- 



much better for each district ranger to hension of what is being sought, the 



prepare his own plan, giving his idea first step in the formation of a second- 



of what he considered ideal protection ary plan is to look back over the past 



for his district, regardless of cost. season's record. Using the areas burned 



In accordance with this idea a letter over as a basis, it follows that the 



was sent out from the Supervisor's working plan for the season will be 



office to the district rangers asking made to protect these localities and 



them to submit ideal plans for their others similarly situated. The summary 



districts extending over a period of which follows served to get the plan 



years. Attention was called to the cir- under headway this winter: 



cular written by District Forester Du "The area burned over on the Tahoe 



Bois, entitled 'National Forest Fire National Forest in 1911 was much less 



Protective Plans" in this connection, than the previous season due in part 



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