THE FLAG 187 



obstructions, according to their density. On the average, wigwag signals with a 2-ft. 

 flag may be read with the naked eye at a distance of 2 J miles, with a 4-ft. flag at 4 

 miles, with a 6-ft. flag at 7 miles, and with six-power binoculars at 4 miles, 7 miles, 

 and 10 miles, respectively. More powerful glasses or exceptionally clear atmosphere 

 will extend these distances somewhat, it being generally possible to read a 6-ft. flag 

 nt 10 miles with the naked eye in Western Canada. Semaphore signalling with the 

 2-ft. flags can be read only about 1 to 2 miles. 



The speed of sending with flags is greatest with the small fla-^s, using the sema- 

 phore alphabet, and least with the very large flag, using wigwag. The former method 

 cnu be operated at ten to fourteen \vords per minute, the latter at onV four to six 

 words depending on the size of the flags employed. 



Section 121 Use in Forest Protection 



Except for instructional and practice purposes, as already indicated, the employ- 

 ment of flags in forest signalling is likely to be limited. The conditions under which 

 they are most likely to prove useful are the following: 



(a) Across Impassable ^Barriers. Pack outfits on opposite side? of large rivers in 

 flood, and parties unprovided with canoes on opposite sides of lakes, often find a means 

 of communication very desirable. 



(fr) Lookout Station to Headquarters. When the distance is short and no other 

 means of communication is available, flags may sometimes be employed between 

 permanent lookout stations and district ranger or " smoke chaser " stations at lower 

 levels. This is seldom likely to occur as it assumes that neither the telephone nor 

 heliograph is available. 



(c) Patrolmen to Lookout 'Stations. The extreme portability of the flag makes 

 this use readily practicable and it may often be valuable. An urgent message can 

 thus be sent from a point 5 to 10 miles from the lookout station which might otherwise 

 have to be conveyed by messenger. In a mountain country with the lookout station 

 011 a high peak this might involve much time. 



In case the attention of the lookout man cannot be attracted with the flag alone, 

 smoke puffs or a small hand'-mirror should be used for this purpose. Smoke puffs are 

 made by kindling a small, hot fire and, after it gets a good start, covering it with green 

 grass, leaves, or damp, rotten wood, or earth. A 'blanket or pack cover should be 

 thrown over this and the smoke released in puffs. 



A much better method is to carry in the outfit a good plane mirror about 3 or 4 

 in. square. 'Set two stakes so that their tops are accurately in line with the distant 

 station and use these as sighting points in directing the flash on the lookout station. 

 Keep the flag displayed meanwhile, and when the lookout man acknowledges the call' 

 by raising his flag or turning on his heliograph proceed with the message. 



(d) Heliograph Stations to Camps. Heliograph and other long-distance signalling 

 stations are necessarily placed on elevated points while camps are as a rule in valleys, 

 close to water. It quite frequently happens that the heliograph operator receives a 

 message for the camp foreman to which a reply is expected. This ordinarily involves 

 a trip to camp to deliver the message and a return trip to send the reply. Such 

 distances are usually short, but may be a mile or more, and if the two points are 

 intervisible this delay can be avoided by the use of the flag. 



(e) On Forest Surveys. A great deal of time is often lost in survey work because 

 the members of a working party are too far apart to make themselves heard in giving 

 instructions. It is true that much of this is due to poor organization or to poorly 

 trained assistants, but some of it is unavoidable. This is especially true in open 

 country where the members of a party may be a long distance apart, The small flag 

 under these circumstances can be of great value in conveying simple instructions over 

 very much greater distances than the voice will carry. 



