OUR FORESTS Dies 
naturalist. The beauty and splendor of the forest, its atmosphere 
of peace and quiet, and the glimpses of its wildlife have an irresisti- 
ble appeal for all of us. Just how great this appeal may be is shown 
by the numbers of recreationists who visit the forests. On the na- 
tional forests alone it is estimated this number has exceeded 
35,000,000 a year. The visitors include residents who have estab- 
lished summer homes 
in the forests, hotel and 
resort guests, campers, 
picknickers, and mo- 
torists. For the con- 
venience of visitors the 
Forest Service has 
established more than 
4,200 public camp- 
grounds and picnic 
areas, and 254 winter 
sports areas in the na- 
tional forests. Some 
large cities, notably 
Los Angeles, Oakland, 
Berkeley, and San 
Francisco, have built 
permanent municipal 
camps for their citi- 
zens on nearby national 
forests and the Forest 
Service maintains some 
50 organization camps 
where various groups, 
for a nominal sum, 
may find rest and rec- 
reation. 
All that is asked of 
visitors is that they 
bring to the forest the 
care and thoughtful- 
ness they give to their 
own homes; that in 
seeking recreation in Fuicurr 14.—The “red enemy” at its worst. A crown 
the forests, whether fire destroys everything in its path. 
national, State, or pri- 
vate, they be careful not to abuse the hospitality of the woods. 
ENEMIES OF THE FOREST 
F-223907 
FIRE—THE ARCH-DESTROYER 
Although the forest is prey to many foes, its greatest single enemy 
is fire. 
A yearly average of more than 200,000 fires, burning over more 
than 30,000,000 acres, has occurred in the United States during the 
last few years. About nine-tenths of these fires were caused by human 
carelessness, or indifference, through such agencies as campers, 
