26 MISC. PUBLICATION 10 9, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



7. What size shovel and ax must I carry? 



The shovel must have a blade 8 inches wide and a handle 36 

 inches long; the ax must have a handle 26 inches long and a head 

 weighing 2 to 2y 2 pounds. 



8. What is the safest way to build a fire? 



Scrape away all inflammable material down to mineral soil from 

 an area 10 feet in diameter. Dig a hole in the center, line it with 

 rock, and in it build the camp fire. Keep your fire small. Never 

 build it against trees or logs or near brush. Stoves burning gaso- 

 line or kerosene are much safer and more convenient for cooking 

 than an open fire. 



9. How can I be sure that my fire is out? 



Stir the coals while soaking them with water. Turn small sticks 

 and drench both sides. Wet the ground around the fire. If you 

 can not get water stir in mineral earth and tread it down until 

 packed tightly around the fire. Be sure the last spark is dead. 



10. How can I tell the location of special smoking areas and eleva- 

 tions in the mountains above which smoking is permitted? 



Special smoking areas in the national forests are posted with a 

 sign reading " Smoke here," and the limits of the area with a sign 

 reading " No smoking beyond this sign." The lower limits of eleva- 

 tions above which smoking is permitted are marked on roads and 

 trails with signs reading " Smoking permitted above this elevation." 



11. What is the best way to dispose of burning matches and 

 tobacco? 



Break your match in two and hold it in your hand until you are 

 sure it is out. Put the burned end back in the box or in your pocket. 



Cigarettes and cigars should be extinguished by wetting the end 

 with saliva, throwing them in water or clearing a spot of inflam- 

 mable material, down to mineral soil, and grinding the fire out with 

 the foot. Pipe heels should be ground out in mineral soil, as they 

 are a particularly dangerous source of fire. 



Mechanical lighters for the pocket and ash containers for automo- 

 biles are recommended for all forest travelers. 



12. Are national forests sometimes closed to use and travel? 

 Yes. During periods of high fire hazard due to continued dry 



weather, high winds, low humidity, and high temperatures, part or 

 all of the national forests may be posted and closed to public use 

 and travel, except under special permit from the Forest Service, but 

 no permit shall be required of any settler going to or from his home. 



13. What are the rules for keeping a camp ground clean and 

 sanitary ? 



Burn or bury all garbage, refuse, and cans. Use camp toilets 

 where provided and help keep them clean. If none are available, 

 dig a trench at least 100 yards from camp and the nearest stream, 

 lake, or living spring, heap the earth to one side and fill trench as 

 used. Leave the camp neat and clean for the next party. They will 

 appreciate it. 



14. What is the penalty for shooting at or defacing a Forest Service 

 or a State highway sign or notice? 



