42 FOREST FIRES. 



to forest fires and actively say so. Placer mines are of course espe- 

 cially so. These all depend on the water in the streams or stored in 

 their reservoirs and conducted sometimes 50 and 60 miles to be used for 

 the continuance of their business. The prospector, however, sometimes 

 sets forest and brush fires the better to study a country. Outside of 

 this one interest of study in a new district the prospector is also ex- 

 tremely hostile to forest fires. He loses feed for his horse or burro. 

 Pot hunters sometimes set fires to move game. These people are, how- 

 ever, scarce in California and confined almost entirely to duck and 

 bird shooting. Sportsmen are all opposed to forest fires. Cattle and 

 horse owners and herders are as a rule against forest fires. They 

 usually own more or less land in the districts where their animals 

 graze and consequently have an interest in other forest lands on ac- 

 count of their own holdings. These herders are for the most part in- 

 telligent men and very rarely live less than two or three together. Oc- 

 casionally the cattleman sets fire to brush hills to improve cattle feed. 

 A few cases are reported of cattle men setting fires in the Sierra and 

 in the San Bernardino range for revenge against other mountain occu- 

 pants. Sheep owners are opposed to early season forest fires but some 

 advocate and instruct herders to burn off districts in the mountains 

 after the sheep are taken out in the fall. The herder of sheep is a 

 careless and irresponsible person living alone and from his habits and 

 indifference the probable source of more forest fires than all other 

 causes put together. Tourists and campers are opposed to forest fires 

 but are often careless and cause much damage. 



It is seen by this resume that the forester has after all only a small 

 and unimportant element that is now favorauie or even neutral on for- 

 est fires. On the other hand the largest and most powerful interests 

 are opposed to forest fires and some of these are intensely opposed to 

 forest destruction by fire or otherwise. 



After scientific study and a demonstration of what is best for the 

 mountain forests, for their highest use and for the protection of min- 

 ing and agriculture from water famines or injurious floods we may 



in the redwoods there are in that tree belt some of the ugliest scenes 

 of forest desolation to be found anywhere. I have visited lumbering 

 districts amongst the redwoods that made one think of the wreck of 

 the world. A great deal of lumbering in this country is still done upon 

 King Louis' doctrine — "after me the deluge." In these cases the lands 

 are cut over and abandoned to the tax collector. 



