Part 2 (2/2)

Usually in the hardwood forests, there is not round Fires in these forests destroy the seedlings and saplings, but do not usually kill the e the base of the trees and i and insects to enter They also burn the top soil and reduce the water-absorbing powers of the forest floor In thick, dense evergreen forests where the carpet is heavy, fires aretrees, burning trunks and branches and even following the roots deep into the ground Dead standing trees and logs aid fires of this kind The wind sweeps pieces of burning bark or rotten wood great distances to kindle new fires When they fall, dead trees scatter sparks and e the tops of the coniferous trees high above the ground These are called ”crown-fires” and are very difficult to control

The wind plays a big part in the intensity of a forest fire If the fire can be turned so that it will run into the wind, it can be put out more easily Fires that have the wind back of them and plenty of dry fuel ahead, speed on their way of destruction at a velocity of 5 to 10in their course that will burn, and waste great aether before the flames Settlers and farmers with their faht and perish The fierce fires of this type can be stopped only by heavy rain, a change of wind, or by barriers which provide no fuel and thus choke out the fla A back-fire is a second fire built and so directed as to run against the wind and toward the o out on account of lack of fuel When properly used by experienced persons, back-fires are very effectual In inexperienced hands they are dangerous, as the wind hted too soon In such cases they often becoreat afires is toarea These fire lines or lanes as they are sometimes called, are stretches of land from which all trees and shrubs have been re to mineral soil or the lines are plowed or burned over so that they are bare of fuel

Such lines also are of value around woods and grain fields to keep the fire out They are co railroad tracks where locoers

Our forests, on account of their great size and the relatively suards theers than any other woodlands in the world The scant rainfall of reat unbroken areas of forest are located increases the fire daes The fact that the western country in many sections is sparsely settled favors destruction by forest fires The prevalence of lightning in the er One of the ers in the Federal forests is to prevent forest fires

During the fire season, extra forest guards are kept busy hunting for signs of sh towers, which overlook large areas of forest, watch constantly for sns of fire they notify the supervisor of the forest Lookouts use special scientific instruments which enable them to locate the position of the fires froer stations scattered through the forests, equipment, horses and automobiles are kept ready for instant use when a fire is reported Telephone lines and radio sets are used to spread the news about fires that have broken out

From five thousand to six thousand forest fires occur each year in the National Forests of our country To sho efficient the forest rangers are in fighting fires, it is worthy of note that by their prompt actions, 80 per cent of these fires are confined to areas of less than ten acres each, while only 20 per cent

spread over areas larger than ten acres Lightning causes fro 70 or 75 per cent

are classed as ”man-caused fires,” which are set by campers, smokers, railroads, brush burners, sawmills and incendiaries The total annual loss from forest fires in the Federal forests varies from a few hundred thousands of dollars in favorable years to severalthe last few years, due to efficient fire-fighting methods, the annual losses have been steadily reduced

The best way of fighting forest fires is to prevent them The forest officers do their best to reduce the chances for fire outbreak in the Governive awayLumbermen who hold contracts to cut timber in the National Forest are required to pile and burn all the slashi+ngs Dry grass is a serious fire ers patrol the principal automobile roads to see that careless ca campfires Railroads are required to equip their locoed to keep their rights of way free of material which burns readily Spark-arresters are required also on logging engines

The National and State Forests are posted with signs and notices asking the campers and tourists to be careful with campfires, tobacco andpeople to be careful so as not to set fire to the forests Exhibits are s, showing the dangers frorations may be controlled Every possible means is used to teach the public to respect and protect the forests

[Illustration: BLACKENED RUINS OF A FIRE-SWEPT FOREST]

For many years, the United States Forest Service and State Forestry Depart a record of forest fires and their causes Studies have been th and character of each fire season Infor the parts of the forest where lightning is most likely to strike or where campfires are likely to be left by tourists

The spots or zones of greatest fire danger are located in this way and erous fire season Careful surveys of this kind are aiding greatly in reducing the nuet all possible information about future weather conditions, the Forestry Departments cooperate with the United States Weather Bureau When the experts predict that long periods of dry weather or dangerous storers are especially watchful, as during such tiers also have big firein their cabins These erous fire areas, roads, trails, lookout-posts, cities, towns and ranches, saw camps, telephone lines, fire tool boxes and other data of value to fire fighters All this infored as to be readily available in tihters, tools and food supplies can be secured, and how best to attack a fire in any certain district A detailed plan for fighting forest fires is also prepared and kept on file at every ranger station

The following are six rules which, if put in practice, will help prevent outbreaks of fires:

1 Matches--Be sure your match is out Break it in two before you throw it away

2 Tobacco--Throw pipe ashes and cigar or cigarette stubs in the dust of the road and sta them Don't throw the caainst a tree or log, or near brush Scrape away the trash fro camp--Never leave a ca it ater or earth Be sure it is OUT

5 Bonfires--Never build bonfires in windy weather or where there is the slightest danger of their escaping froer than you need

6 Fighting fires--If you find a fire, try to put it out If you can't, get word of it to the nearest United States forest ranger or State fire warden at once

Re forest fires

CHAPTER VII

INSECTS AND DISEASES THAT DESTROY FORESTS