224 SLASH DISPOSAL 



of primary importance. Rarely should the block be larger 

 than forty acres. Should there be on the area any trees which 

 it is desired to save then the slash must be pulled away from 

 them. 



A fire hot enough to consume the slash is likely to destroy 

 all reproduction and trees on the area covered by the fire. 

 It may consume all of the litter. Broadcast burning some- 

 times is employed in connection with a clearcutting method 

 depending for reproduction upon seed stored in the duff. It 

 is then essential that the litter which contains the stored 

 seed be protected from the fire. This can be accomplished 

 by burning at a time when the slash is fairly dry but the litter, 

 less exposed to the effects of sun and wind, still remains wet. 

 The fire may burn the upper portion of the litter but not the 

 whole. The slash must be dry enough to secure a clean burn. 



Broadcast burning is a dangerous method of slash disposal 

 because unless carefully controlled the fire is likely to gain 

 momentum and escape to adjoining timbered areas. For 

 this reason the time of burning must be chosen so as to secure 

 favorable climatic conditions. The ideal time for burning 

 may be stated as a period with little or no wind, what there is 

 coming steadily from one direction, relatively high humidity, 

 low temperature and cloudy weather immediately preceding 

 a period of rain or snow. This combination is difficult to 

 attain with certainty, but the nearest approach to the ideal 

 is likely to be found by selecting for the operation a night in 

 the early spring or late fall when there is a probability of 

 rain or snow to follow. 



A force of men should be on hand to set the fires and watch 

 their progress and in addition if the area to be burned over 

 is extensive it is advisable to have arrangements completed 

 in advance of the burning with a larger force of men to come 

 out at once in case the fire escapes. The crews in nearby 



