RELATION OF MAMMALS TO FIRE HAZARD IO/ 



it is much easier for fires to originate from lightning or from the care- 

 less handling of matches and cigarette stubs in such places than in clean, 

 open forests, free from dead brush and wood. Nests of rodents pro- 

 vide such accumulations of twigs, grass and other debris. 



While some mammals may increase fire hazards in forest areas, on 

 the other hand Angora goats lessen fire hazard by clearing out under- 

 brush. In California they have been utilized in keeping clear of weeds 

 the "fire-breaks" or long lanes from which the timber has been re- 

 moved along the crests of ridges in order to prevent the spread of forest 

 fires, and to make it easier to bring the fires under control. The cost of 

 keeping the lanes free from weeds and grasses which in dry seasons 

 become very inflammable is considerable. 2 



2 Heller, The Angora goat, Farmers' Bull. No. 573, p. 4, 1914. 



