REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 



of the 



Coeur d'Alene Timber Protective 

 Association 



Members of the Coeur d'Alene Timber Protective Association: 



Gentlemen : The aims and plans of our Association have 

 been fully explained in previous reports. The details of the 

 Association work for the season of 1914 will be covered by 

 reports of the Secretary, Fire Committee and Fire Warden. 



The J914 season was in the early portion very favorable, 

 but 'later we were confronted with extreme drouth and dangerous 

 atmospheric conditions, resulting in electrical storms causing 

 many dangerous fires. Some portions of our district suffered 

 serious loss, but this loss was trifling compared with possible 

 loss if our Association had not been in existence and in readi- 

 ness to take charge of and fight the fires when starting. We 

 were able to extinguish many fires before any damage occurred, 

 but losses have occurred where quick action was impossible. 



It is my opinion that a larger patrol force should be used. 

 The patrolmen should be good, capable woodsmen, and employed 

 with the understanding that they are at all times to work at 

 cutting new trails and cleaning up old trails when the weather 

 conditions do not require patrol service. It is necessary that 

 we have good trails to every portion of our timbered area, that 

 supplies and men may be quickly rushed to fires. I would 

 suggest that a few good men be regularly employed in trail 

 work; also that a map be prepared showing every trail now 

 open, and have outlined on this map new trails to be con- 

 structed. 



We should at an early date be prepared with some form 

 of signal service, either wireless or telephone, at all lookout 

 stations, that we may give quick notice of fires and their location. 

 We should also give consideration to possibility of airship 

 service during fire season. We may expect that machines of 

 this kind will soon be in use that will serve our needs very 



3 



