282 REPORT OF THE FORESTRY COMMITTEE 



means for doing this are in use) ; (c) field glasses; (d) living quarters for the 

 watchman. 



In some localities, where the building of telephone lines is difficult and atmos- 

 pheric conditions are favorable, the heliograph has been successfully used for 

 sending word of the location of a fire. 



To give the best results, at least two lookouts should be able to see a fire. 

 By each taking the proper bearings and reporting them, it is possible to locate the 

 fire by the intersection of these bearings. In many instances fires have been 

 very successfully located in this manner. The value of lookouts may be tempo- 

 rarily impaired by the country filling up with smoke and so limiting the range of 

 vision. 



PATEOL 



THE section of country to be patrolled is usually divided into districts, and 

 a patrolman put in charge of each such area. The patrolman may be able 

 to use a saddle horse, motorcycle, or buggy, in getting over his territory, 

 or have to go on foot, depending upon whether or not roads and trails are 

 numerous and kept in good repair. The character of country, probability of 

 fires becoming started, density of population and means of convenience used in 

 traveling, must determine the area a patrolman can cover adequately. During 

 dangerous times a patrolman should cover his territory every day although this 

 may not be necessary the entire season. 



One or more head wardens, according to the area being looked after, should 

 be in charge of the district patrolmen. 



It is usually best to start the season with a skeleton force, increasing the 

 number of men employed as conditions warrant. Patrolmen, in addition to keep- 

 ing on the lookout for fires and putting out incipient ones, should become 

 acquainted with all the residents of his district, keep track of all transients in 

 his territory, and know exactly who can be called upon in case of fire. In some 

 sections patrolmen have been able to successfully organize fire brigades among 

 residents for emergency fire-fighting. Patrolmen usually have to be paid at a 

 higher rate than day-laborers because their duties require tact and executive 

 ability. The pay of such men varies from $60.00 to $100.00 per month. Head 

 wardens are paid from $75.00 to $150.00 per month and expenses. 



TRAILS 



ONE of the most important adjuncts to fire protection is a complete system 

 of trails. It has often happened that work on a fire is delayed for many 

 hours because of the difficulty of getting in men and supplies. Recog 

 iiizing this the Forest Service in the national forests has been working toward a 

 complete trail system as rapidly as possible, and up to 1912 some 13,500 miles of 

 trail had been constructed with national forests. Although carried on less 

 systematically, thousands of miles of trail have been built by States and private 

 timber owners. 



