32 



which can be obtained a clear and unobstructed view 

 of the surrounding country; by maintaining ground pa- 

 trols through various portions of the forest, and par- 

 ti'cularly where the fire hazard is extreme, as along 

 railroads and trails; and only recently, by patrolling 

 from the air by means of aircraft. By the detection 

 precautions, the majority of the fires can be seen 

 while yet they are small, word is sent in to the sup- 

 pression headquarters by telephone, telegraph or wire- 

 less, and a force of men is dispatched at once to ex- 

 tinguish the blaze. In this manner, the loss through 

 fires is materially reduced. With increased efficiency 

 and better organization, it is hoped still further to 

 reduce the damage done by fires. 



Advocates of the Method 



Of the organizations in California relying upon 

 this method of protection, the United States Forest 

 Service with approximately 10 millions of National For- 

 ests which are timbered, is the leading fire protective 

 organiza-tion within the state. In 1920, 734- cooper- 

 ative agreements were entered into with the Forest Ser- 

 vice which secured over 3 million acres of private hol- 

 dings protected. There are also some private protect- 

 ive organizations among which might be enuiierated the 

 Redwood Fire Protective Association, with a territory 

 of 100,000 acres, the Tamalpais Fire Association with 



