ANNUAL REPORT 1914 19 



the timber which was not fire killed at the time may die during 

 the next two or three years by reason of its reduced vitality. 

 Certainly the entire tract now presents a fertile field for heavy 

 insect depredations. While there are two or three small saw- 

 mills in the vicinity, their operations are so small and their cap- 

 ital so limited it is doubtful that they will salvage much of this 

 timber. 



We had a number of comparatively smalT lightning fires which 

 burned over areas ranging from a few square rods up to 600 

 acres. Ordinarily these fires would have been considered of 

 great importance, but during a season when we have to reckon 

 our burned over acreage by the thousand and our losses of 

 merchantable timber by the hundred million feet these fires sink 

 into relative insignificance. For detailed descriptions of the lands 

 burned over I refer you to the accompanying tables. I can only 

 add that every one of these fires was fought vigorously with every 

 resource at our command and that no effort or expense was 

 spared to control them in the shortest possible time and with the 

 minimum loss of timber. 



Of the total of 110,310,000 feet of merchantable timber which 

 was more or less damaged or killed outright by fires within our 

 territory perhaps 40 per cent, or 44,000,000 feet, can not be logged 

 in time to realize much salvage from it. 



Of the 1,593 acres of timber burned over in the territory out- 

 side of our boundaries, by fires which this association fought, I 

 have grave doubts that any portion of the 26;344,000 feet which 

 was damaged or fire killed can ever be logged. 



Some statements can be made which have a general applica- 

 tion to practically all of our fires., 



Wherever possible trenches were dug ahead of the fire and 

 all the stubs and dry trees, as well as green balsam and bushy 

 trees near the fire line, were cut. After cutting off the head of the 

 fire the trenches were put clear around it. Then the men were 

 put to work covering up and putting out all fire near the edges 

 and falling snags. When this was done the fire was watched 

 until the rains came. About three men were left to watch a mile 

 of fire line and as the fire burned out they were taken off until 

 one man was left to watch from one to three miles. A great deal 

 of trouble was experienced in getting reliable men to watch fire 

 lines after the fire was under control, as they would bunch up 

 and get to talking unless closely watched. We overcame this to 

 some extent by putting a reliable man in charge of several miles 

 of fire line and giving him what men were needed to watch it, 

 holding him responsible for the work. 



It was found almost impossible to control fires in the old 

 slash which had been burned over or which had grown up to 



