FOREST FIRES 151 



the state forester of Massachusetts as special forest fire wagons 

 may be considered as standard. The following quotation from 

 the Seventh Annual Report of the State Forester of Massachu- 

 setts briefly describes the two wagons and their equipment. 



"The larger wagon is intended for two horses and costs, all equipped, about 

 $450. The equipment consists of fourteen chemical extinguishers; fourteen gal- 

 vanized cans, each holding two extra charges of water and chemicals; shovels, 

 rakes, mattocks, and spare chemical charges. This equipment is carried in racks 

 and cases, not only so that it will ride safely, but also so that it can be conveniently 

 carried into the woods. Eight men can find accommodation on this wagon. 



" The smaller wagon, drawn by one horse, has all the equipment of the larger, 

 but less in amount. It will carry four men and costs, all equipped, about $300." 



By permission of the Massachusetts State Forester. 



Fig. 59. — Special forest fire wagon; large size, for two horses. 



Raking the leaves and Ktter away from the advancing flames 

 is another good way of checking surface fires. This makes a 

 rough sort of fire line where the fire stops for lack of inflammable 

 material. 



Perhaps the most common method of checking a fire, and the 

 most effective under certain conditions, is beating it out with 

 brooms or evergreen boughs or bran sacks. These sacks when 

 wet can be used to good advantage. 



One experience in fighting fire will suggest the best methods 

 for certain conditions. The chief thing to remember is that a 

 fire is not out when the flames are stopped. It will often 

 smoulder for a long time in some old stump and finally blaze 

 out again, perhaps after several days. Fire wardens should 



