82 



DESTRUCTIVE AGENCIES. 



FOREST FIRES. 



In nearly all portions of our country fire is the most destructive 

 agency aftecting the forests. It does immense harm in the Rocky Mount- 

 ain region. Annually, during the dry seasons, forest fires l)reak out, 

 spread with great rapidity, and destroy in a few days the growth of many 

 years. The aridity of the climate, the resinous nature of the timber, 

 the prevailing high winds, and the sparseness of i^opulation render for- 

 est fires in this region almost uncontrollable. They are doubly disas- 

 trous here, for when the mountain slopes are denuded of their natural 

 covering, restoration is extremely difficult, if not impossible. 



The following is taken from the recent report (188G) of Hon. S. T. 

 Houser, governor of Montana, to the Secretary of the Interior : 



Another loss tliat lias been greatly increased tliis year by tbe extended drought is 

 the fearful destruction of our mountain forests by fires. These fires occur every sum- 

 mer. They originate generally from carelessness of hunters and campers (white or 

 Indian), sometimes from lightning. In former years the destruction has been com- 

 paratively limited. This season they have prevailed generally, covering immense 

 districts. More timber has been destroyed in the past six months by fire than would 

 supply the wants of our people for fifty years, and more than will be renewed by 

 growth in a generation. 



By the enactment of laws prescribing penalties for the willful or care- 

 less setting of fires, and requiring the local authorities to post notices 

 warning persons against violation of the law, some good has been ac- 

 complished. It is evident, however, that effective measures for the pre- 

 vention of forest fires will not be adopted until the people and law- 

 making powers become fully alive to their necessity. And then the 

 object can be effected only by a carefully devised system of forest pro- 

 tection which will include the active co-operation of local officers. 



Acres l)urned and values destroyed in Eocky Mountain reg 



on in 1880 





States and Territories. 



Acres. 



Value. 





88, 020 

 21,000 

 83, 780 

 42, 8C5 

 113, 820 

 C4, 034 



$1, 128, 000 





202, 000 





3, 255, OUO 





1, 042, 800 





935, 500 



"N^f^w ATpxiro . . -- 



142, 075 







Total . 



413, 519 



6, 705, 375 







WASTE. 



The wasteful methods now practiced in dealing with our timber sup- 

 plies deserve earnest condemnation and, by the enactment of proper 

 laws, should be visited with severe penalties. 



In some instances lumbermen will set mills near large bodies of fine 

 timber, and with unrestrained greed cut down vastly more timber than 



