The new era., 1909-09-30
WISH SETTLERS TO
COOPERATE
WITH FOREST OFFICERS

~ tho OsoIS VI tue Or6SG.
The fire season on the Medicine Bov
National Forest has already opened, al
though, SO far. very few fires have beef
discovered. 1t is very desirable that tn
standing timber be protected by every
means possible. Eech Ranger is requir
ed to patrol on an average Of about one
hundred thousand acres, therefore. you
can readily see that unless the settlers
cooperate with the forest officers, very
serious damage might result before the
fire would be discovered and extinguish-
ed.
Since the Medicine Bow Forest was
created there have been no serious fires
within the boundaries. The forest Of
ficers and the settlers have discovered .
good many fires and have either extin-
guished them themselves, or with the
assistance Of others. Several fires in
Boulder County have required the en-
ployment Of number Of men. and the
constant vigilance of the forest officers
for several days at time However, all
such fires have been extinguished with
very little damage. You will very read
lily recall the before the setting aside Of
the territory embraced in the Medicine
Bow Forest to be handled as National
Forest. many fires ragged unquenched
for weeks at time; destroying millions
of feet Of valuable timber; denuding the
hill slopes and menacing life and prop
erty. Aside from the forest fires dis
covered and extinguished. great mum
Der of camp fires have been put out by
the rangers and settlers. The Forest |
Service is spending large sums of money
in the employment Of men for the hand
ling Of this work, as well az in the con.
struction Of roads, trails and telephone
lines. Eighty miles of telephone lines
have already been constructed on the
Medicine Bow National Forest, and this
year line about thirty miles long is be.
ing constructed. this is all done for the
purpose of preserving the timber SO that
it may be used by the settlers for build
ing houses, barns outbuildings, fences,
stc., and by the miners in developing
sheir prospects and mines. Il ia -trna
timber sold, and for grazing permits.
power plants, ETC., but 25 per cent Of all
money received from this source is re-
turned to the county to be used for
schools and roads.
These facts are mentioned to show
that the Medicine Bow Forest ives Gre
ated, and is managed, solely and entire
ly for the people residing in and near it,
as we'll as the general good to those at
q distance. Fire is the very worst enc
nv of the Forest for 1t not only destroys
the timber, but, in many cases burns up
the humus, laying bare the rocks and
leaving ground open to attack from the
heavy summer rains, which often wash
TONS upon tons Of soil from the barren
This silt is carried down the
mountain torrents, creating havoc all
along the route. and is finally deposited
in the lower Mississippi. where millions
of dollars are spent by the Government
in removing it from the river to facili-
tate navigation.
The majority of the settlers near the
Medicine Bow have given very material
assistance in the past in the prevention
and extinguishing of forest fires, and
appeal to you this season to give us the
same hearty cooperation. There are
many campers in the hills who do not
understand the dangers of leaving un-
e19inguished camp fires You can , as
sist us very materially by informing
snch % travellers that there is serious
menace in leaving camp fire for even
a abort half hour. I wish to thank you
for your help in the past. and will earn
estly request that in case forest IRE II, is
discovered by you, you will immediately
notify the nearest forest officer, as well
as lend your assistance. The s9pervis-
or's Office can always be reached by
phone at Collins be7. Fort Collins. Colo.
Very truly yours.
| H. N. WHEELER
! Forest Supervisor: