PROTECTION OF FORESTS FROM FIRE 297 



repair at once to fires which may start along the right of 

 way and put them out, with a comparatively small loss of 

 time. 



In Minnesota the law requires that railroad companies 

 must put on patrolmen to patrol their tracks. The forest 

 commissioner mav compel the companies to put on as 

 many as one man to each mile of track. 



The Methods of Fighting Fires 



The principles of fighting forest fires are essentially 

 the same as those recognized in fighting fires in cities. 

 The following are of first importance: (1 ) Quick arrival 

 at the fire; (2) an adequate force; (3) proper equipment; 

 (4) a thorough organization of the fighting crew, and (5) 

 skill in attacking and fighting fires. 



Quick Access to Fires. — Quick access to fires is ac- 

 complished through the work of supervision and patrol 

 in discovering fires before they have gained much head- 

 way, and by a well-developed system of communication 

 through the forest b\' roads and trails. 



An Adequate Force of Fighters. — A small fire may 

 be put out by one man, but in extensive forests several 

 hours may pass before the fire can be reached. It is im- 

 portant to secure an adequate force of men and to get 

 them to the fire quickly. In a well-organized system of 

 patrol the guard who discovers a fire communicates 

 quickly to other guards and to headquarters by telephone, 

 signal, or other means, and indicates the number of men 

 he needs. It is essential that there be definite arrange- 



