The San Francisco call., 1904-11-11
TIMBER FIRES
ARE DISCUSSED
Bureau of Forestry Looks
Into the Causes of the
Destruction of Big Trees
CONDEMN OLD METHODS
Fallacy of the Indian Idea
of Burning Out Under
brush Shown by Experts

The following communication on for
est fires gives many, interesting facts
concerning that important subject:
The Federal Bureau OF Forestry during the
last last year has been making special study OF
forest fires in California, this work being part
of the cooperative forest Investigations inaug-
urated by the State and Federal Government
1he purpose of the fire Investigations is to de-
terInine the causes of forest fires, the best
methods Of preventing and eKtinguishing then
and to ascertain the attitude of the people to-
ward the forest fire problem. In general, the
sentiment revealed is one opposed to fire. yet
In certain quarters there exists an unfortunate
attitude favoring general burning over of the
forest every few years. resulting from mis-
conception as to the best methods of fire pre-
vention and of the ultimate aim and object
OF forest preservation. This view is held
mainly by people who urge the preservation of :
the forests. and not only by those who see the
fCrests from the campers viewpoint rev
weeks each year, but by the so-called prac-
tical men who live in the forest belt. .
The method which these people advocate is
a return TO the custom followed by the In
dians. who in earlier times burned the
forest floor periodically to make travelling cas-
Ter and drive out game. The arguments ad-
vanced are that the Indian, by his burning,
left us the forests. and that if they not
burned over frequently debris and brush accu-
mulate to such extent that the accidental fires
which may occur will destroy the entire for
est. The fact is that have the forests de-
spite the Indian fires, and that they would be
finer and denser and less SCARED and broken
had these early fires not occurred The large
areas of brush and the burned out bases OF
many Of the finest trees throughout the Sier-
reveal what the Indian fires have done.
Statistics collected in Tehama County, show
that there is a direct loss to lumbermen of
over per cent through the burned out butt
LOGS Of mature trees. and this does not take
into account the many trees burned down and
lost entirely. Every ground fire adds to this
dama-e TO mature timber and Kills the young
growth. so that eventually nothing remains
save brush. which survives through It's ca
paclty to scrout from the root.
YOUNG GROWTH KILLED.
Repeated burning eventually leaves the forest
floor entirely bare and gradually reduces the
density Of the mature stand. The result is that
a park effect is produced. and the future forest
which might be secured by applying forestry
principles in connection with the utilization OF
the mature timber is prevented or long delayed.
The young growth which follows when fires are
excluded is not ss serious fire menace as is
supposed. and soon passes beyond the danger
Gus stage The argument is advanced that light
fires do not kill young growth If so light az
TO kill nothing. they fail to accomplish the pur
pose for which they are intended. II
enough to burn the duff and debris. they will
Jority OF people do not see young pine nor
recognize Its potential value until II is several
feet high, hence the argument that none are
killed.
To burn the thckets Of worthless brush.
which largely the result of Indian fires
which killed the timber and opened up the for
est. is of advantage. and is only tempo
rary relief from the fire danger. the brush
Immediately sprouts again. Moreover, IL fires
are KEEP. out the forest will eventually reclaim
most Of the chaparral areas. II firing Of the
brush and young growth is persisted in moth
cludes brushy underground. while repeated fires
gradually open up the forest, encourage brush
and Kill coniferous reproduction If California
. is 10 have future forests this young tree growth
must be preserved. The accumulation of duff
and general debris which results from fire
emption reaches only certain depth. the bal
ance being maintained by the natural decay.
In regions where water conservation is an i'm
portant function of the forest. the ground fires
work further injury by reducing the water
tanning power Of the forest floor and exposing
the soil to teaching and erosion.
That there times and places when care
full burning OF the unlumbered forest is advis-
able is unquestioned. yet this holds only limited
| areas and under peculiarly favorable condi-
tions which far from general 1t may be
quite the proper practice small holdings,
where the forest is reserved park or hunt
ing gound, to burn the brush and young
growth On tracts where forestry is made
paything and not put on a strict commercial
basis by clearing away from clumps OF young
growth and the bases Of mature trees, and by
exercising the utmost care the forest floor
/ may be burned without serious results. A
more practical of fire II conditions justified
pure chaparral areas or in the open forest in
order TO prepare the ground for the reception OF
tree seeds. After one such burning fire should
be vigorously excluded. Along certain roads
and trails and around buildings fire lines can
greatest care and judgment are always neces-
sary. Under the conditions existing through
the great commercial forests of the State
general firing OF the debris and underground
is not only unsafe and entirely unnecessary,
I hut Doslfiyely harmful.