The result of severe forest fires. Not only is there an enormous loss in the mature 

 timber which is badly fire-scarred and open to attacks by wood-boring insects and 

 disease, but the reproductive capacity of the forest is destroyed, the humus of the 

 soil has disappeared and erosion rapidly uncovers bed-rock. When such areas are 

 acquired by the Government, they are planted at once, before the soil has entirely 

 disappeared. 



