36 
The party did not come upon any fires that could be traced to sheep 
herders or packers, nor did we learn of any fires known to have 
been set by them, but we did see fires in localities where sheep had 
been grazed, and some of them doubtless originated from this source, 
probably having spread by accident, possibly by intent. It is clear 
that the extent of the practice among sheepmen of systematically set- 
ting forest fires has been overestimated. It is interesting to note 
that during the progress of the season’s investigation, while no fires 
were found that could be traced by positive evidence to sheepmen, 
cainp fires were seen abandoned by travelers, by campers, and by 
Indians, fires set by road builders and by lightning, and fires set for 
the purpose of creating smudges. 
SLOWNESS OF REFORESTATION UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. 
One phase of the forest fire evil in the Cascades must still be men- 
tioned, the slowness of reforestation in certain areas. On several of 
the old burns there was evidence that many years had elapsed since 
the fires that destroyed the trees had done their work, and upon inquiry 
it was found that a surprisingly long period had intervened. It was 
stated, for example, that the burn on the upper west slope of the 
Santiam-Prineville road occurred earlier than thirty years ago. This 
burn is now grown up to snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus) and other 
shrubs, and no evidences of reforestation are in sight. Some portions 
of the great burn on the south slope of Mount Hood, we were informed, 
are more than forty years old and at present they bear only scattered 
saplings. It is clear that in many such areas, where the conditions are 
naturally unfavorable to the growth of trees, reforestation must be 
extremely slow, and a hundred years is not too low an estimate for the 
period that must elapse before a young forest covering of even moderate 
density will return. 
MEANS OF LESSENING FIRES. 
Before leaving this subject it is desirable to make certain suggestions 
which, from experience, it is believed will prove useful, in addition to 
the more special provisions outlined below, in reducing the number of 
forest fires. Have printed upon cloth, and with suitable catch words 
for headings, in conspicuous type, notices of the forest-fire laws and 
their penalties, pointing out especially that not merely is the setting of 
forest fires punishable by fine and imprisonment, but that leaving a 
camp fire without extinguishing it is also punishable in the same manner. 
These notices should be posted at frequent intervals along all the roads 
that enter or cross the reserve and at aS many camping places as possi- 
ble. The number of fire notices now in the Cascade forest reserve is 
altogether too small, and some of them being printed on paper and in 
al inconspicuous manner are easily overlooked or destroyed by the ele- 
ments. There should be twenty notices where there is now but one. 
Scores of postmasters and other Government employees or persons 
