20 BULLETIN 1491, U. S, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
It is far better to fence off 2 or 3 acres of the woods where they can 
run at will and exclude stock from the remainder. 
ON FOREST AREAS 
PUBLIC MEASURES 
On the larger continuous forest areas grazing is not usually a 
serious factor except as the owners of livestock are sometimes prone 
to set fire to the woods. If grazing should develop in intensity to the 
point that it harms the timber, it should be curtailed. 
At present the problem of keeping this forest land productive is 
purely one of fire prevention. Absolute fire prevention should be 
sought. The term " absolute " is used in the full knowledge that it 
will be practically impossible to attain. Nevertheless it is the goal 
which should be set for achievement. 
This problem of preventing and suppressing forest fires is not a 
new one. A good many States have been wrestling with it for years, 
and systems of increasing efficiency have been built up which embody, 
in the main, the following features : 
1. A central State administrative organization which is the direct- 
ing force behind all State effort in forest-fire prevention and sup- 
pression. It is responsible not only for the administration of the 
forest-fire organization but for the preparation and publication of 
reports, educational pamphlets, newspaper articles, public speeches, 
etc., all designed to educate the public against carelessness with fire 
in the forest and of primary importance in combating the forest-fire 
evil. 
2. Division of the State into districts not exceeding 500,000 acres 
in size, each in charge of a fire chief. These districts are divided into 
smaller districts of 20,000 or 25,000 acres, each in charge of one 
man, ordinarily called the fire warden, supported by several deputy 
wardens. 
The duty of the fire chief is to keep in intimate and constant touch 
with the firewarden organization, to assist it in every way possible 
by advice, suggestion, and direction, to formulate a comprehensive 
fire plan for his district, take charge of large fires, keep in touch with 
the fire-lookout observers, and keep the whole organization up to an 
efficient standard. He further enlists the support of local organiza- 
tions such as business men's clubs, churches, game and fish clubs, and 
boy scouts, brings action in the courts against offenders of the forest- 
fire laws, and utilizes every means at his command to prevent fires 
in his territory and to suppress promptly any fires that do start. The 
fire chiefs should be the most active compelling force in the fire 
organization. 
The wardens and deputy wardens organize the fire-fighting crews, 
direct fire suppression, post fire warnings, carry on as much educa- 
tional activity against fires as possible, issue fire permits, and, if the 
season demands it, patrol regions of extreme fire hazard. 
All men in the organization have the authority to impress other 
men into service to fight fires. 
3. A system for detecting and reporting forest fires as soon after 
their inception as possible. This makes it possible to take prompt 
suppression measures that will hold fires to a small area. 
