61 

 The Light Burning Co mnitt ee 



It is the function of the Light Burning Committee 

 to determine whether or not Light Burning is a practicable 

 method of fire protection to be 6mployed in the forests 

 of California. The solution will be arrived at by ob- 

 serving comprehensively and impartially the results of 

 Light Burning on typical areas. Represent pt ives of the 

 Committee examine the areas ao burned and carefully de- 

 termine the damage done to mature timber and reproduction 

 and the probable decrease of increase of the fire haz- 

 ard resulting from the burning. In 'this way, it is hoped 

 that an unprejudiced and scientific decision regarding 

 the practice of Light Burning will be reached, and that 

 in the near future. 



Light Burning i^ommittee Report on the Bray Operation 



In a report entitled '•Controlled Burning at Bray, 

 California", by Wm. C. Hddge, Jr., Chairman of the 

 Light Burning Committee, stated that on this typical 

 area, Light Burning as a protective measure, was a 

 failure, the positive results being but temporary and 

 the cost considerable. He said that fully as good pro- 

 tection might have been gained by patrol and suppreeaio), 

 and this for a very few cents per acre as compared with 

 the one dollar (approKimately) which it did cost. Fur- 

 thermore, he wrote, that only ^ of the reproduction had 



