16 MISC. PUBLICATION 249, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
F—423023 
A\n extension forester shows local farmers and their families how to build firelines in the 
forest. Firelines help to halt an onrushing fire. 
United States and have yielded financial returns and other benefits to the 
communities for more than two centuries. In recent years the number of 
community forests has increased greatly. 
Reports to the Forest Service in 1953, showed more than 3,000 community 
forests aggregating about 4% million acres in 40 States. Of the total, 
800,000 acres were maintained by municipalities, 3% million acres by coun- 
ties and townships, 130,000 acres by schools or school districts; and 40 
thousand acres by other organizations. 
In addition to parks for recreational purposes and purchases of forested 
watersheds for the protection of sources of domestic water supplies, many 
cities and counties are acquiring forest lands for investment and develop- 
ment purposes. Managed under multiple-use plans, similar on a smaller 
scale to those applied on the national forests, such community forests can 
