The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1910-09-09
Forest Fire Loss Heavy

with confidence that 1910 will hold the
record in many years for losses from
forest fires.
The summer fires followed a spring
believed to have been the worst. GER
tainly in the Lake States, unknown
for some time. Nor is it wise to as
sumo, officials declare, that the danger
is over, when the fierce contlagrations
in the inter-mOuntain States, which
have called forth the efforts of three
Federal departments, are conquered.
The forests will not be safe, they
assert, until the fall rains and SHOWS
have once made made a wet blanket Of
the dry forest floor. That the total
losses of the year will run into the
millions is considered certain.
How such losses may be prevented
is a matter of general concern. To the
national forest timber burnt must be
added quantities on State and private
holdings, besides the immense damage
done to town, farm and other property.
Railroads have suffered from Interrupt
ton of traffic, as we'll as from direct
losses.
Forester Graves says the need of
systematic provision for the early dis
covery of fires and getting a properly
equipped force of fire fighters quickly
to the scene is imperative.
Careful SUPERVISION" he says,
during the dry season is one of the
most important measures in organized
fire protection. One of the f~undament-
al principles in fire protection is to
direct and attack fires in their in
cipiency."
After pointing out the value of look
outs, telephone and signal communica-
ton, and various methods of patrol,
the Forester tells how to fight fires as
follows:
"The efficiency of the fre-fighting
crew depends very largely On their
skill and experience, and particularly
on the skill and experience of the man
directing the work. 1t is not only a
question of knowledge of how to assign
| each man where his work will be most
effective, but there must be judgment
exercised in determining the general
| method of attack. The character Of
the fire, the character of the forest,
the condition of the atmosphere, the
strength and direction of the wind,
the rapadity with which the fire is rum
ming, and many other points have to be
taken into consideration.
Sometimes the front of the fire is so
fierce that it is impossible to meet it
directly. One method under such cir
cumstances is to direct the course of
the fire. The attack is made on the
sides near the front, separating the
| forward portion of the fire from the
| main wings. Apart of the crew at
| tacks the forward part and others run
down and extinguish the wings. The
front of the fire, attacked from the
sides, is forced gradually and constant
ly into a narrower path, Usually the
front can be directed toward some
cleared space, road, pond, stream,
swamp, or fire line, when it will be
checked enough to admit of a direct
front attack. Sometimes by this plan
the front may be rapidly narrowed by
working from the sides until it is at
last entirely extinguished. The plan
of giving direction to the course of the
fire has often been successfully carried
out when the fighting crew is too small
for a direct attack.
"When fires gain such Roadway that
it is impossible to stop them by direct
attack, no matter how numerous and
efficient the crew or complete the
equipment for fighting, back firing be-
comes the only means of stopping the
fire. 1t should be used orhy when it is
absolutely necessary. One of the com
monest mistakes in fighting fires is to
overestimate the rapidity of the fire
and the difficulty of putting it out. A
forest fire is always a frightening spec
tacle particularly if it is sweeping in
the direction of ones own property.
Men often become excited and start
back fires when it is entirely unneces-
sary. Back firing necessarily involves
deliberately burning over property.
When this belongs to another person
and ones own forest seems in danger,
there is a great temptation to sacrifice
it.