ROLE OF FIRE IN CALIFORNIA PINE FORESTS 65 
- TABLE 22.—Effect of piling and burning slash on size of subsequent fires, for a rep- 
resentative operation 
Piling 
No slash and 
Number and size of subsequent fires disposal | burni 
disposal 
INGERIVID ORR RELY CS 2 ek = ak no a ncn c oa Hoe eee Sten eee aE nM 37 45 
IAWCYARONIZO) secsaceesee es oo oo Eo Se SE Se acres__ 9.7 0. 4 
(Os rad (esehhiai 24 A08O) 3-8-0. = ewes eo be ee per cent_- 49 76 
<p hre (ron 24 LO 20°acked)—- oe ~~~ eee So) ose See est do_... 29 24 
926 7Hroes: COW Orit O ACLES) Soyer ate heel hk De ho cab seibes cee lee ee oa do: -4- 22 0 
Lae SEIS e Re Se a eee Sa ee a eae ae ae a Sead ee cae acres... 165 3 
acres, with an average cut for the region of about 20,000 feet to the 
acre, the impressive figure of $7 is arrived at. Furthermore, this 
must be considered an investment merely to reduce the likelihood of 
damage after fires start;it does not eliminate the likelihood of fires 
starting. 
In summarizing, it may be stated that with our present degree of 
protection, the use of the piling and burning method is a warranted 
safeguard even at present costs. As our protection becomes more 
certain in its results, the extensive use of this method may advanta- 
_geously be modified and in many areas entirely eliminated in favor 
of more intensive patrol of cut-over areas. 
USE IN OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES 
REMOVAL OF RISK 
The reduction or elimination of risk is in some instances a ver 
necessary protective measure, and one which warrants partial sacri- 
fices in the form of fire injury on restricted area. In certain cir- 
cumstances the elimination of any possibility of fires starting is of 
such importance that burning off every vestige of vegetation within 
the specified tract is justified. In general practice, it may be said, 
the risk can only be reduced and not ameinlg removed. 
The most obvious occasions for this use are at donkey Sete 
along lines of highways and railroads, and at public camp grounds. 
Beyond these, the legitimate use of fire in reducing risk is a limited 
one. The only permanent reduction of risk must be accomplished 
by eliminating the causes of fire, rather than by reducing the amount 
of inflammable material. 
CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE LINES 
The use of fire lines or fire breaks of one sort or another is so 
common in all forest regions that an extended description of their 
purpose or effectiveness is not necessary. We are concerned for the 
pe with fire lines only to the extent that they may be constructed 
y the use of fire. 
Perhaps the best recent example is that furnished by a large 
apersior in the California pine region (1/6). Narrow strips were 
cleared by hand round the outer edges of lines averaging 100 feet on 
both sides of railroad right of ways, highways, and cuare Fire was 
then applied along these cleared strips and allowed to burn out the 
- intervening territory. The purpose of these fire lines was twofold— 
to reduce the inflammable material so that fewer fires would start 
within the risk area and to make it easier to control fires if they 
should start. In practice this work has proved to be a pronounced 
2027°—24——_5 
