222 SLASH DISPOSAL 



piece of work distinct from the piling. The piles must be 

 carefully built because they may have to stand several months 

 before the time for burning arrives. 



During dry seasons of the year it is often dangerous to 

 carry on any slash burning operations. As a precaution the 

 piles made in such periods are not burned until later and only 

 when climatic conditions are such as to render the operation 

 safe. An ideal time to burn brush piles is immediately after 

 the first snowfall, which is apt to be so light as not to prevent 

 easy burning of the piles, although affording protection to 

 surrounding trees. 



Burning of a large number of brush piles is at best a risky 

 operation. There is the danger of the fire becoming uncon- 

 trollable and spreading from pile to pile until finally the fire 

 has gained such momentum that it cannot be held on the 

 cutover area but spreads into adjacent uncut timber. Repro- 

 duction and young timber standing in proximity to the piles 

 may be injured or destroyed by the heat of the fire even 

 though it does not spread from pile to pile. 



If a group of adjoining piles is burned all at one time the 

 air becomes so heated and such a draft is created that the 

 remaining live trees and reproduction on the area may be 

 killed. A better arrangement is to burn piles here and there 

 and not to set fire to the adjacent piles until those first lighted 

 have been consumed. If a wind is blowing the burning should 

 be started among the piles on the leeward side of the cutover 

 area. 



Where a large number of brush piles must be lighted a 

 special brush burning torch is useful. The torch should be 

 rigid and strong enough to be thrust into the piled slash 

 without injury to the handle or to the torch proper and be 

 capable of burning for some time. One of the best torches 6 

 can be made out of a piece of pipe. 



