OTHER FOEEST WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT. 13 



THE PROTECTION OF FORESTS FROM FIRE. 



The methods of controUing forest fires on National Forests con- 

 sist in: 



(a) Constant patrol of the areas included within the National 

 Forest boundaries by a picked force of rangers and guards. The 

 present summer force of rangers and guards whose main duty is fire 

 patrol is 1^351 men; the average area that each is required to pro- 

 tect is 121^506 acres. 



(h) The construction of roads and trails in order to provide rapid 

 means of travel between the various parts of the National Forests 

 and to facilitate the massing of large forces of men to fight fire, as 

 well as to furnish vantage points from w^hich fire may be fought suc- 

 cessfully; and of telephone lines connecting ranger stations with 

 the headquarters of the Forest in order that fires may be quickly 

 reported and effective measures taken promptly to extinguish them. 

 During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1908, 160 miles of road, 3,300 

 miles of trail, and 3,500 miles of telephone lines were constructed 

 in the National Forests. In several cases also fire breaks from 16 

 to 100 feet in width have been constructed, from which all timber 

 and inflammable material are removed. These check the spread of 

 fire and afford lines of defense in fire fighting. Several miles of 

 such fire breaks have been constructed on the National Forests in 

 southern California, where it is especially important that the forest 

 cover on the watersheds of important irrigation streams be protected. 



(c) The equipment of the National Forest with fire-fighting tools, 

 canteens, and other supplies necessary for fire-fighting crews. Just 

 as rapidly as possible each National Forest wdll be fully supplied with 

 shovels, axes, and other tools, w^hich will be distributed over the 

 Forests and in cabins and tool boxes placed at points where there is 

 the greatest danger of fire and where they can be most easily reached 

 by road or trail. 



The Forest Service has been most successful in securing the cooper- 

 ation of local residents in the vicinity of National Forests, and espe- 

 cially of the stockmen and others who use the Forests under permits 

 of the various classes. Every permittee is required to assist the 

 Forest officers in the suppression of fire, and this assistance has been 

 of the utmost value. ° 



OTHER FOREST WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT. 



In addition to administering the National Forests, the Forest 

 Service carries on many lines of forest work; in the investigation of 



(^ The Use Book (containing regulations and instructions for the use of the National 

 Forests). 



[Cir. 167] 



