24 



MISC. PUBLICATIOX 16: 



U. S. DEPT. OF AGIil CULTURE 



burn over the sur face, are very harmful to the forest. By scorching 

 the bases of the big trees, they open wounds through which wood rot 

 enters, which depreciates the valué of the luniber and increases the 

 likelihood of the trees being tlirown by the wind. Surface fires, 

 too. kill the young trees tliat would grow up to perpetúate the 

 forest; they burn the lea ves and other litter on the forest floor and 

 destroy the fertility of the soil. They burn the coverts and nests of 

 game animáis and birds and sometimes make the streams unin- 

 habitable for fish. If repeated often enough, such fires gradually 

 turn the green forests into a waste without life — ugly, desoíate, and 

 unprofitable for any purpose (fig. 15). 



In general, forest fires, whether large or sniall. mean loss not only 

 to the owner of the land but in some measure to everyone. They mean 



F-43S03 



Figuke 15. — Result of fire and hurricane. Coeur d'Alene National Forest, Idalio. 



that so much more of our forest land will not be working for us: 

 that there will be fewer trees to supply the wood necessary to build 

 our houses, run our railroads, and make our furniture, and number- 

 less other things that give us comfort ; that watershed protection has 

 been impaired; and that just so many more acres of forest play- 

 grounds have been taken from us. Is it not therefore the duty of 

 every good citizen to be caref ul of fire when in the woods ? 

 Six simple rules to prevent fires in the woods are : 



1. Matches. — Be sure your match is out. Break it in two before 

 you throw it away. 



2. Tobacco. — Be sure that pipe ashes and eigar or cigarette stubs 

 are dead before throwing them away. Never throw them into brush, 

 leaves, or needles. 



