WOODS BUEXIXG IX THE SOUTH 6 



The Menace of Woods Burning 



Kegardless of the motive that may prompt a man to set fire in the 

 woods, he creates a danger in doing so. An individual has the right 

 to burn his own land, provided he confines the fire to his property 

 and otherwise conforms to the law ; but he is grievously at fault, un- 

 fair to his neighbors, and unmindful of the welfare of his com- 

 munity, when he permits the fire set on his land to spread to the land 

 of another. Forestry can not be safely practiced in the South until 

 the man who burns the woods is held to strict accountability. The 

 irresponsible burner must be banished from the woods, and the well- 

 intentioned burner must squarely face the responsibility incurred 

 when he starts fire on his own land. 



The Forest Service. United States Department of Agriculture, 

 recognizes that its responsibility in this matter extends to its own 

 practices in the administration of national forests in the pine region 

 of the South. It has written into its policies for the two national 

 forests in Florida that burning of the woods will not be permitted 

 in connection with any further turpentine contracts other than to 

 clear off protective strips and to conduct scientific experiments on a 

 limited scale. It proposes to launch a systematic fire-prevention cam- 

 paign to eliminate the causes of fires ; to strengthen its facilities for 

 extinguishing fires that do occur; and to enforce strictly its fire- 

 trespass laws and regulations. 



To sum up. forest destruction in the South is due to the custom 

 of woods burning and the handicap which this custom imposes on 

 the people who want to put their forest lands to profitable use. The 

 woods burner, who is gnawing at the vitals of southern prosperity, is 

 permitted largely to evade responsibility for his acts. Custom, in- 

 difference, and lack of understanding often join with him to defeat 

 the efforts of the individual landowner and the public to keep fires 

 out. 



. The Remedy 



The remedy is clear. Individual responsibility for woods burn- 

 ing must be established, and the individual must be led through edu- 

 cation to realize the need for outlawing fire and for taking his part 

 in keeping fire out of the woods. Those not amenable to reason 

 must be controlled by the vigorous enforcement of law. in order that 

 the interests of the public and the landowners may be protected. 

 Organized systems of fire prevention by States and landowners must 

 be extended and strengthened. 



Xo one agency alone can cope with this situation. All private 

 landowners, all the Southern States, and the Federal Government 

 must agree on a common course of action and work together to put 

 en end to forest destruction. 



The following program is offered as suggestive of the course to be 

 followed : 



Fire Prevention 



Fire prevention comes first. It must strike through education at 

 the lack of information, the prejudice, and the carelessness of the 

 woods burner. 



