CAUSES

PROTECTIVE AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The work of fighting fires is of the utmost importance; but if we can keep those fires from starting in the first place, we have accomplished much more, in that we have not only saved the expense of fire fighting, but have also prevented the damage which would have been done by the fire. Bearing in mind the possible causes of forest fires in a given region, we must devise a scheme of protection consistent with the money available for expenditure for such a purpose, and aiming especially to reduce the danger from fires arising from the known causes. It is not sufficient to provide a patrol force to cover the area under protection. A system must be worked out in minute detail to cover all points; it may be based on a patrol force, but at the same time it is important to take account of the numerous aids which may be employed to increase the efficiency of the patrol, such as mountain observation stations or lookouts, an auxiliary fire fighting force, telephone lines, emer gency tool-kits, fire lines, and roads and trails through the forests.

There are various measures which may be taken to eliminate the causes of fires, namely, the posting of fire notices containing excerpts from the fire laws of the State and otherwise warning all users of the forest to be careful in the use of fire; the restriction of brush burning and fires to clear land; the proper disposal of slash left after lumbering operations; the equipment of railroad locomotives with suitable devices to prevent the escape of sparks and coals, and the clearing of railroad rights of way of all inflammable material. Each one of these measures will be taken up separately in the following pages.

PATROL

The most obvious system of protection of forest lands from fire is by means of a patrol. This is at once a simple and effective method. The first step taken by the U. S. Forest Service, when the National Forests were created, was the establishment of a fire patrol. All fire protection must be based upon this idea. It may be developed further by the introduction of mountain observation stations and telephone lines to facilitate prompt detection of fires. Roads and trails also are of incalculable value in increasing the efficiency of the patrol and making possible the rapid mobilization

of fire fighting crews. But the patrol is the basis of all this and should be organized with the greatest care.

The central organization should keep in close touch with the field force. Frequent inspection of the work of the men in the field is necessary to produce the highest efficiency. Care must be taken to secure an organization which is readily adaptable to the emergencies of fire fighting. There should be as little "red tape" as is compatible with a proper performance of the work.

It is, of course, advisable to place as small an area as is practicable under one patrolman or ranger. The average area which must be assigned to each man will usually be determined by the amount of money which is available. With a given appropriation for a given area, however, it does not by any means follow that all rangers should look after equal areas. The apportionment of patrol districts is a matter which calls for a consideration of all of the numerous factors which influence the fire danger.

Here is where a knowledge of the sources of fire is of use. Constant patrol may be required along a railroad line in one part of the tract to be protected, while the more inaccessible regions, where the danger of all fires, except from lightning, is reduced to a minimum, do not require such careful watching.

In the spring, the brooks and streams frequented by fishermen require a vigilant patrol; in the fall, the good hunting grounds are places to be watched. During all the summer season, trails, roads, streams, and camping places which are used by campers must be * patrolled.

A second factor influencing the division of the forest into patrol districts is the natural topographic features, such as mountain ranges, large streams, etc. In mountainous regions the location of trails, roads, railroads and other routes of travel are fixed by the topography. Sometimes communication may be afforded by a stream or a chain of lakes. All of these considerations must be given weight in deciding the division of the forest into patrol districts.

When the forest has been apportioned amongst the patrol force, it is time for the organizer to take up the question of the personnel of the force. If he would produce satisfactory results he must. give this matter his careful attention. The duties of forest ranger,

guard, warden, or whatever the patrolman may be called, require certain qualities in the man who would perform these duties efficiently. Such a man should be honest, energetic, reliable; and, above all, he must be a "woodsman," with an accurate knowledge of his district and able to take care of himself in the woods. The work requires men capable of going out into the woods day or night and remaining on the fire line for hours at a time, capable of directing large bodies of men fighting fire, and of providing for those men while they are in the field.

If the area of the forest to be protected exceeds a million acres, it is well to subdivide the force and provide at least one officer to take charge of each area of 1,000,000 acres or less. When good men can be secured for these positions, the central office can be relieved of a large amount of routine work, thus gaining the leisure to devise new methods by which to perfect the system.

The ranger must be provided with suitable camp outfits and an adequate supply of tools for fighting fire. Camp outfits and tools should be located at points where they will be readily available in case of fire. It is not sufficient to furnish supplies of tools at the ranger headquarters. As far as funds permit, tool boxes should be located at various points within the forests at lumber camps, private camps, etc. The tools best adapted for this use will be described later.

OBSERVATION STATIONS

The efficiency of the patrol force can be greatly increased by lookouts or observation stations located on vantage points commanding views of large areas of the forest. The U. S. Forest Service, the forestry departments of various States, and private forest fire protective associations the country over have by their experience of the past few years determined the value of lookouts beyond a doubt. This feature of the system was evolved from the patrol. In making his rounds the ranger will naturally seek the best viewpoints in order that he may see the maximum amount of country with the minimum travel. Where lack of funds prevents the establishment of regular observation stations, with men to devote their entire time to them, this idea is excellent. Trails should be constructed to render commanding peaks accessible, and the