With this in mind, an analysis of the forest research needs of the 

 Interior is being made. In addition, problems of the Chugach and 

 Yakutat areas will be included. Of course, no analysis is needed to 

 know that a forest survey must be made to locate the forest areas, pin- 

 point the best stands, and determine volumes. No analysis is needed to 

 point out that if forest fires continue unabated the Survey results will 

 soon be inaccurate. Increased attention is being given to these fires-- 

 at least, heads are being raised in mild alarm and eventually, perhaps 

 soon, something effective may be done about it. A smoke pall that 

 grounds aircraft for days at a time over a whole summer would normally 

 be looked upon as at least a nuisance if not a danger to national 

 defense. The lack of complaint, the patience, and the attitude by the 

 general public that nothing can be done about it is purely amazing to 

 people from the States. The Bureau of Land Management has been making 

 steady progress on the fire problem but is under-manned and under- 

 financed for adequate control. A concerted attack on the whole problem, 

 from public education to fire research, is needed. 



THE FOREST SURVEY 



Coastal Alaska 



Substantial progress was made on the forest inventory of Southeast 

 Alaska during 1956 and 1957. Collection of field inventory data on 4 of 

 the 5 timber management working circles on the North and South Tongass 

 National Forests was completed. • 



This project had its beginning in July 1954. Collection of field data 

 on one working circle had been completed in 1955 with an in-Service 

 report published in March 1957. 



In the 1956 field season the collection of field data was stepped up as 

 the field parties were increased from three to four. Two Forest Service 

 boats transported and housed the crews. For the first time in Southeast 

 Alaska a helicopter was available for charter, and Survey conducted a 

 test as to its relative efficiency as a means of transporting field 

 parties. Two working circles were completed. 



In 1957 the collection of field data was completed on the two remaining 

 working circles using only three field parties and one boat. This was 

 accomplished by the use of a helicopter to transport crews to remote 

 locations that would ordinarily have required two or more .days of foot 

 travel from tidewater and return. Some areas would have required as 

 much as five days foot travel, but they were taken care of in one day 

 by helicopter. Float planes were put to more use than previously. 



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