I'ROTECIION or ]X)Ri;STS VROM FIRE 271 



designed for saddle and pack-horse travel. (Fig. 59. j 

 While their first purpose is to facilitate patrol and access 

 to a fire, the\' ma}' be used as starting-points for back-- 

 firing, and will often check or actually stop a small 

 surface fire. 



Special Fire-Lines. — AYhen there are no roads or 

 trails which wdl answer the purpose, it may be advisa- 

 ble to construct special fire-lines. Special fire-lines are 

 necessarily expensive, and are used where the propertA' 

 to be protected is ver\' valuable. They are most used 

 m woodlands in the better settled portions of the country, 

 nhere land values are relativeh' high. In manv cases it 

 is advisable in a valuable woodlot to construct here and 

 there a special fire-line at points where it is not worth 

 while or practicable to build a road or trail. Thus, 

 special lines are frequently run along the boundaries or at 

 strategic points connecting roads. It is a sound princi- 

 ple, hovvex'er, that special fire-lines should never be built 

 where a road or trail can be used for the same purpose. 



In the less intensive forest conditions, such as occur 

 in the lumber woods, special fire-lines have so far been 

 constructed onl)- under exceptional conditions. In a 

 large forest, the first work is to open up the area for com- 

 munication b)' the construction of trails, and, where 

 possible, of roads. Like all other work in forestry in- 

 volving an investment, the use of fire-lines must be based 

 on sound business principles. The\' should be used 

 only where necessar\', and where their expense is justified 

 by the returns. 



