E-U,SaT, 10/11 



For that, telejphone and other comi.ninication lines are needed, 

 so the lookout can report and the I'sJiger or warden get word to rush the 

 fire fighters to the scene of danger. 



In order that the fire fighters he prepared to handle the situation, 

 the necessary tools' and supplies must "be located at strategic points 

 throughout the forest. And, of course, there must he an adequate system 

 of roads and trails through the forest so the fire fighters can reach 

 the fire readily,. 



At the present time, the Forest Service is experimenting with 

 portable radio sets, light enough and strong enough to he carried hy fire 

 crews in inaccessible regions in order to keep in touch with headquarters 

 and lookouts. Tests are also being made on radio transmission over rugged 

 mountain country such as is found in most of our national forests, Such 

 tests are necessary to determine how reliable radio communication between 

 the crews in the forest and ranger headquarters can be made. 



Airplanes have been used for some time in our western forests. 

 Commercial companies are under contract to supply pilots and planes when 

 needed. During the fire season, emergency patrols are frequently main- 

 tained, and the airplanes are used not only in reconnoitering to locate 

 fires, especially after big electrical storms, but to determine the 

 direction and rate of travel of the fire and even to carry men and 

 supplies to the fires, in special cases. 



You see, many of our forest fires in the West are caused by lightning. 

 Sometimes, one electrical storm will start three or four hundred separate 

 fires in the forest. 



Most forest fires, however, are caused by human carelessness; a 

 burning match, a smouldering cigarette, or a spark from a camp fire not 

 properly put out, may start a fire in the dry leaves and brush, In fact, 

 some of the National Forests are closed to smoking during bad fire seasons, 



Naturally a lot depends on the weather. For that reason, the 

 Weather Bureau and the Forest Service experts are working together in 

 New England. and in the Northwest to find out just what the weather con- 

 ditions are which make up "fire-weather." 



By those studies, they hope to be able to acciirately predict when 

 it is necessary to keep closer watch on the forest, and to forecast how 

 fast the lire will spread if it starts. With such information, the forest 

 ranger will be able to estimate hovf many men he will need on the fire 

 lines. 



The fire lines are usually clear strips through the forests which 

 serve as fire breaks and points from which back-fires may be started to 

 check the main fire. In the East, where the land is not so rugged, fire 

 lines are often made by plowing and clearing. In the West, where the land 

 is more rugged, the brush and trees are cut out to make a fire line. 



-2- 



