Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-08-07
UTAH RANGES ARE
BEING DEVASTATED
Brush aud Forest Fires Destroy
ing Snow and Watersheds
OF State
HOW THEY MAY Be PREVENTED.
James E. heeks, Supervisor Salt Lake
Forest Reserve, Gives Interesting
Information on Subject
To the Editor:

TO the Editor.
Murray, Utah, Aug. Forest re.
serves are created for the purpose VI
preserving perpetual supply Of timber
for home industries, preventing the de-
strucuon OF the forest cover (which reg
ulates the fow Of streams, and protect.
ing local residents from unfair compe-
tition In the use Of forest and range.
They are patroled and protected at
government expense, for the benefit Of
the community ana the home builder,
We know that the welfare OF every
community is dependent upon cheap
and plentiful supply Of timber; that a
forest cover Is the most effective means
OF maintaining a regular stream flow
Tor irrigation and other useful purposes,
ana tnat the permanence OF the live
stock industry depends upon the con-
serVarve use OF the range. The IN
jury to all persons and industries which
result from the destruction Of forests
by ire and careless use Is matter OF
history IN older countries, and has long
been The cause OF anxiety and loss in
the United states.
The decrease In the summer flow OF
streams just as they become indlspens-
ible 10 manufacture or irrigation, and
the serious decrease In the carrying
capacity of the summer range, are con-
dition5 that can be improved by con-
servatiye handling Of forest reserves.
Through It's watchful fire patrol the
forest service guards the property OF
the resident settler and miner and pre-
upon which the prosperity OF all indus
tries depends The help II can give to
the development OF the west may be
greatly increased by the cooperation
of citizens
Destructive forest fires are not often
set Wilfully, but far too commonly they
result from failure to realize that care
lessness will be followed by injury and
distress 10 others. The resident or
traveller In forest regions who takes
every precaution not to let fire escape,
and who is active IN eXtinguishing freS
which he discovers. contributes direct
~ 10 the development and wealth OF
the country and 10 the personal
safety and profit Of himself and his
neighbors. He who does not. assumes
great responsibility by endangering
not only his own welfare but that Of
countless others. Citizens holding
grazing permits should render their OBJ
legation, to not only prevent fires when
possible but help TO extlnguish them
when under way An effort to check a
fire before It gathers Roadway may
save the permit holder many days hard
work. Forest officers have authority
to command assistance In eXtinguish-
ing fires at any time,
The grass fires which have occurred
In the vicinity OF Salt Lake City dur
ing the last two months, have COM
pletely denuded the mountain sides OF
its green forage and left u charred,
barren, spectacle. to the regret and IN
Jury of all
The following simple regulations may
easily be observed by all
! Camp fires must not be larger
than necessary
.. Fires must not be built in leaves,
rotten wood, or other places where
they are likely 10 spread.
3, Fires must not be built against
large or hollow logs where 1t is diff
cult to be sure when they are COM
pletely out.
4. In windy weather and in danger
Gus places, camp fires must be con-
fined 10 holes. or by clearing all vege-
table matter from the ground around
them.
3. a fire must never he left. even
for a short absence, before II is COM
pletely eXtinguished
There is ample legal provision for
the punishment Of malice or careless
ness with fires, The act Of June 4,
1897. lnstructs the secretary IN charge
Of forest reserves TO make provisions
for their protection against fire, and
provides for punishment Of any vio-
lntion OF his regulations. The act Of
May 5, 1900, prescrIbes a maximum fine
OF $1,000, or two years imprisonment,
or both, for any person convicted Of
responsibility for the wilful setting OF
a fire on the public domain or for
suffering a fire to burn unattended near
any infammable material. II pre-