66 THE NATIONAL FOREST MANUAL. 



States, but they are widely used in European forests. It is evident that a 

 most careful investigation must be made to determine what their character 

 should be and what is their utility in proportion to their cost. 



Classes of Firebreaks. 



In general, firebreaks fall into three divisions: First, topographic; second, 

 isolating; and third, divisional. The topographic are those on ridges, along 

 contour lines, at the base of slopes, and along streams. Nearly always they 

 serve also as means of travel and become part of a permanent system of roads 

 and trails. There is no question as to the utility of this type. Isolating fire- 

 breaks take advantage of the difference in liability and hazard of the forest 

 cover and aim to segregate certain areas. Divisonal firebreaks are constructed 

 more or less arbitrarily through large areas of similar cover and regular topog- 

 raphy. Their purpose is merely to subdivide the area and afford smaller units 

 within which the fire may be restricted. 



Character of Firebreaks. 



Firebreaks may differ also in character. In many cases mere trails or plow- 

 furrows are sufficient, as in open yellow pine forests. Again, the removal of 

 combustible material from a strip 5 to 10 feet wide and brush for a farther 

 distance up to 50 feet on each side may be necessary. Sometimes also the 

 felling of dead trees for a distance of from 100 to 300 feet on each side of the 

 cleared strip will help to reduce the hazard and to insure the success of meas- 

 ures of control. 



Maps. 



Maps are required in the preparation of a firebreak system. They should 

 show types of cover, lines of travel, and the location of natural fire barriers, 

 such as water, landslides, glades, meadows, heavily grazed or barren areas, 

 and cliffs, together with the proposed system of firebreaks. 



Construction. 



The construction of firebreaks will be handled in the same manner as other 

 improvement projects. In recommending a firebreak a detailed report should 

 be made showing cost, character, and utility not only for fire control, but as a 

 means of travel. The estimates of cost should include expense of maintenance. 



Lookout System. 



Lookout points are of great value in discovering and locating fires, and on 

 those Forests on which an extensive system of protection is to be adopted a 

 complete system of lookouts is essential. Their establishment will depend on 

 careful selection in the field and the preparation of a map which shows the area 

 which can be controlled from each. Three kinds of lookouts should be distin- 

 guished route, special, and main. Route lookouts are those from which a 

 view over considerable territory can be obtained without leaving regular lines 

 of travel. Special lookouts are those not on regular routes of travel, but which 

 afford such a good view that their occasional use warrants their improvement. 

 Main lookouts are those from which an exceptionally large territory can be 

 seen and where it might pay to keep a permanent lookout. 



Prevention. 



Since the best way to stop fires is to prevent them, a fire plan must include 

 a careful study of prevention methods. The development of a strong public 

 sentiment against fires is of first importance. This may be fostered by public 

 meetings, by the distribution of pamphlets, by news items in local papers, by 

 explanations of fire policy to forest users and campers, and by instruction in the 

 schools. The forest supervisor should issue detailed directions for the post- 

 ing of fire warnings and other notices provided by the property clerk, and 

 should adopt measures to prevent and detect incendiarism, and to insure the 

 enforcement of State and Federal laws in regard to the use of fire by campers 

 end ranchers and by those in charge of logging and railroad engines. 



Cooperation. 



Efforts should be made to arrange definite cooperation with timber owners 

 or associations of timber owners, with States, with departments of the Federal 

 Government, and. with railroads and other industrial concerns that may either 

 suffer from fire or constitute a source of fire danger. When the need of coop- 

 eration is evident the facts should be fully investigated and reported to the 

 District Forester, by whom the agreement will be prepared. All formal- agree- 

 ments must be forwarded to the Forester (Keg. G. A. 7). 



