FIRE CONDITIONS IX CAUI-'OUXIA 



a general tax levy, and in case the entirely successful during thi dr season 



county does share the expense it is of 1914. Only eight fires occurred, and 



not at all unlikely that the State of these were all in the grass country of 



California will become a partner in the the foot-hills, burning over but a : 



work. A precedent for stale cooprra- acres in each case. They were promptly 



tion has already been established in tackled by the organized I'm- lighting 



the admirable fire prevention organiza- forces and extingnislicil with practically 



tion of Los Angeles County. Moreover, no losses. Of course some (ires must be 



the systematic protection of Tamalpais expected in the future; but they should 



is much more than a local matter; it be limited to comparatively small areas 



concerns both the state and the nation, and should be squelched without a 



The methods of fire prevention were rumpus. 



FIRE CONDITIONS IN CALIFORNIA 



By ALEXANDER W. DODGE, Deputy State Forester 



FIRE conditions in California dur- tions would permit, has made every 

 ing the past summer have not pro- effort to reduce the fire damage by 

 scnted a problem as difficult as the making forest fire prevention popular, 

 one dealt with in 1913. The fire There has been rigid prosecution of 

 season of 1913 was exceptionally severe; offenders against the State and Federal 

 a great many large fires occasioned an forest laws. Throughout the summer 

 enormous loss, namely $511,077.00, an it has been proved that the damage 

 amount far in excess of the financial less actually done has been small in corn- 

 sustained during 1914. The total parison to the damage averted. The 

 money loss, due to forest fires in Cali- Sisson fire was controlled at an expense 

 forma" in 1914 is 8179,025.75. Fires to the Forest Service of about $25, 000.00. 

 have 1 icen well reported on the National However, a great many thousand dollars 

 Forests and the United States Forest worth of property would undoubtedly 

 Service has devoted special attention have been destroyed had the fire not 

 to the prevention and suppression of been fought. Our inadequate state 

 forest fires this year. However, since a forest law handicaps the State Forester 

 vivat many fires without the National in handling just such fires. 

 Forests have occurred and have not been There were 1,971 forest fires reported 

 reported, owing to the inefficient system in 1913 within the State, while 

 of voluntary lire-wardens, it is impos- incomplete report for 1914 shows 1,330. 

 sible to secure an accurate total. The Forest fires, since January, 1913, have 

 figures of loss, then, during 1914, are cau scd the loss of four human lives in 

 necessarily incomplete for areas outside California 



the National Forests. Forest fire conditions, outside the 

 During the year there have been X ational Forests, arc going to remain 

 comparatively few heavy winds, such as r( , xilllal( , lv the same, modified slight- 

 marked the summer montlis of 1913. j ; arh year by favorable or unfavorable 

 Although the vegetation became dry, , c , 

 the atmosphere has been exceptionally l % conditions until 

 cool and moist during the greater part establishes and maintain an adequate 

 of the summer. This, naturally, had protective policy 

 its fortunate effect upon the number and donc onl >" through pr< >] er 

 seriousness of forest fires. The Federal The' attempt to secure such legislation 

 Forest Service has given the lire situa- is constantly being made by promoters 

 tion added consideration by maintaining of an effective state forest law. In the 

 extra fire patrols and forest guards, past these efforts have been defeated by 

 The State Forester, so far as his limita- opposition based largely upon selfishness. 



