FOREST FIRES IX XORTH CAROLINA. 17 



From the above table it can be seen that the average fire, where only 

 partial protection ^vas given, was one-sixth the size of the average fire 

 of the region, or a saving in the eighty fires reported by the forest officers 

 of 60,000 acres not burnt over. At an average damage of $1.50 per acre, 

 this means an actual saving of $90,000. 



The saving in cost of fighting fires is just as startling. While it is 

 often said that fire fighting is now done voluntarily in iSTorth Carolina, 

 the average cost to fight fires in the mountains is $35 per fire, borne by 

 landowners and private individuals. In this partially protected area 

 under discussion the cost to private owners and the Government com- 

 bined has been reduced to $11 per fire. This seems to be indisputable 

 evidence that organized fire protection will and does pay. 



