The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-10
TO FIGHT FOREST FIRES.
RANGERS TO BE POSTED IN THE
TINBERED RESERVES.
Eugene n. Hyde Here 20 Examine the
Reserves and Plan for Their sab
walton from Dcstruction-No Seri-
Gus Fires Save In the olympics.
superintendent - Q

Eugene u, Hyde. superintendent - .
portion q thu forest reserves in this state.
IS in the city completing his preparations
for trip into the reserves that come
under his Jurisdiction. Seen 2t the Rainier
Grand hotel last night Mr. Hyde said:
Inc forest reserves in the state OF
Washington are divided into four districts.
TWO OF which. the WASHINGTON reserve and
Prizes; river reserve are under my charge:
While the Olympic and Mount Rainier re-
serves are controlled by DIR Csoes. OF Ia
coma This department was established
Tor the protection of the timber from fires
ana Expectations and Is as YET in its ,u-
fancy. Indeed. | only received nv in
striictions a few DAYS ago and shall have
10 go over the ground carefully before
determining upon a course OF action
We are 10 aaye a force " RANGERS at
"oTh as soon as their appointments are
made. but these come directly from the
government and, OF course. there will he
niofs OF less delay. | regret that We could
ifot nave gotten 20 work earlier. as many
iires could have been extinguiSaed In their
ineipiency that have assumed eangerouy
proportions by this time. AT present
theTs are no rangers In the reservations
but We nave been particularly fortunate
u, having no serious fires IN any bur the
olympic reserve / shalt 20 directly 10 the
washington reserve 70 consult with the
supervisor there as to the h4st means "a
pursue "a obtain the facilities needed
Flgnttng forest fires is essentially Diff
ferent from battling with those ON tha
praisiss and is as yet an undeyeloped
science don't know what methods We
shati pursue, nnt presume they will he on
the nne or cutting down tress and clearing
out brush In order TO prevent the fires from
spTsad.hs- The supervisor will be located
on the west side OF The mountains as thar
Is considered Of the most importance. ana
AZ VIII be his duty TO keep the rangers
posted through the forests, In places where
the danger Is supposed 10 he greatest"
Asked how THE fires originated In ths
majority Of cases. Mr Hyde explained thar
they were largely the result OF the careless.
ness Of prospectors, trappers and herdsrs.
many.
And It is right there that We expec. "a
demonstrate the efficiency OF our works.
said hT. Hyde. These fires in the frat
place are little insignificant things that
could be extinguished without difficulty,
II some one could be there at the right
moment We propose 20 have our men
patrollng the forests constantly and thew
VIII prevent many big CONGREGATIONS hy
nlppiaS them in the bud. They will also
3 -
tfce AL persons who disobey the laws
regglating the occupancy or the reserva-
tons.
II shall leave tomorrow for the inter-
iaf and after making a thorough investi-
cation OF the necessities Of the case. shall
return TO Spokane. whore my headquarters
Qe, located, Dr. CloeS and shall work
together as far as practicable, and hope 20
ne able 10 devise some means OF success
tul'y coping with the indefstieable element
that Is making such ravages upon Uncle
sans pet timber reserves"
Inder an act that passed congress June
!, 1871, the establishment or timber re-
serves was authorized and power vested
IN the secretary of the interior 10 make
such rules and regulations, aud establish
such service. as would insure the objects
For which flores, reservations were created.
These tracts Of timber land were set asida
20 Improve and protect the forests: TO pre-
vent their total devastation and also 10
insure conditions favorable 10 n continued
water flow. which does not exist where
timber is entirely removed from the banks.