Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-11-09
FIGHTING FOREST FIRES.

Valuable Suggestions by U. 8. De-
partment Of Agriculture.
Z Omcials Of the United States department
OF agriculture are Of the opinion that 1910
will hold the record among many years for
the severity Of the losses from forest fires.
The summer fires followed . spring season
believed to have been the worst, certainly
in the Lake States, known for long time.
That the total losses Of the year will run
up to many millions Of dollars is certain.
How such losses may be prevented is q
matter of general public concern. A bulle-
tin by Forester Henry 8. Graves discusses
forest fires and the proper methods Of pre-
venting and fighting them. SIN some
sections Of the country, he says, 'forest
fires have always been Of such common
Occurrences that there is popular notion
that they cannot be prevented. The risk
from fires can never be entirely eliminated,
for in the forest there is always infiam-
mable material which is very easily ignit-
ed. They may, however, be largely pre-
vented, and under efficient organization
their damage may be kept down to very
small amount. The problem Is like that
in cities, where fires can never be entirely
eliminated, but where the risk OF loss to
property may be reduced almost to insig-
nihcance."
The Importance Of systematic provision
for the early discovery OF fires and for
getting properly-equipped force of fire.
fighters quickly to the scene Of an out
break, is insisted upon by Forester Graves
"a careful supervision or patrol during
the dry season." he says, sis one Of the
most important measures in organized
forest protection. One of the fundamental
principles in fire protection is to detect and
attack fires in their incipiency." After
pointing out the value OF lookouts, tele-
phone or signal communication and
various methods of patrol, the forester
tells how to fight fires, as follows:
"The principles OF fighting forest fires
are essentially the same as those recognized
in fighting fires in cities-guick arrival at
the fire; an adequate force; proper equip
ment; q thorough organization of the
fighting crew, and skill in attacking and
fighting fires. Quick access to fires Is
accomplished through the work of super
vision and patrol in discovering fires be-
fore they have gained much Roadway, and
by q ell-developed system Of communi-
cation through the forest by roads and
trails.
"A small fire may be put out by one man,
but in extensive forests several hours may
pass before the fire can be reached. 1t is
important to secure an adequate force Of
men and to get them to the fire quickly.
In we'll organized system Of patrol the
guard who discovers a fire communicates
quickly to other guards and to head
quarters by telephone, signal, or other
means, and indicates the number of men
he needs.
1.-THE efficiency Of the fire-fghting crew
depends very largely on their skill and ex-
perience, and particularly on the skill and
experience of the man directing the work.
1t is not only 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 rapidity
with which the fire is running, and many
other points have to be taken into con-
alteration"
After describing how surface fires may
be put out by beating, by throwing sand
or loose earth and by other methods, the
account goes on:
Sometimes the front Of the fire is 30
fierce that it is impossible to meet 1t di-
rectly. One method under such circum-
stances 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. A part Of
the crew attacks the forward part and
others run down and extinguish the
wings.
ssThe front of the fire, attacked from the
sides, is forced gradually and constantly
into narrower path. Usually the front
can be directed toward some cleared space
road, pond, stream, swamp, or fre-line,
where it will be checked enough to admit
of q 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 IRE has often been successfully
carried out when the fighting crew is too
small for direct attack.
"when fires gain such Roadway that it
10 impossible to stop them by direct
attack, no matter how numerous and EN-
cient the crew or complete the equipment
for fighting, back firing becomes the only
Lame back comes on suddenly and il