The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-08

the number OF men he needs.
"rhe efficiency OF the re-ightins
crew depends very largely on their skill
and experience. and particularly on the
skill and experience OF the man direct
'ing, the work. II is not only a question
OF knowledge OF how 10 assign each man
where his work VIII be most effective
but there must be judgment exercised
In determining the general method of at
tack. The character of the fire, the
character of the forest, the condition of
the atmosphere. the strength and direc-
tion of the wind the rapidity with which
the fire is running, and many other
points have TO be taken into consldera-
ton"
After describing how surface fires may
be put out by beating, by throwing sand
or loose earth. and by other methods, the
Sometimes the front of the fire is so
fierce that Il is Impossible TO meet 1t di-
rectlys One method under such circum-
stances is Ia 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. The front OF the fire, at
tackled from the sides, is forced gradually
and constantly into narrower path.
ward some cleared space, road, pond,
stream. swamp, or fire line, when II will
be checked enough TO admit of a direct
the front may be rapidly narrowed by
working from the sides. until II is at
last entirely eXtinguished. The plan of
giving direction TO the course of tho
out when the lighting crew is too small
for a direct attack,
When fires gain such headway that
II Is impossible 10 stop them by direct
attack no matter how numerous and ef-
ficient the crew or complete the equip
ment for fighting, back firing becomes the
ct. <lrNr- eh.AN,1
however, he used only when IL is abso-
lutely necessary. One of the commonest
mistakes in lighting fires is to overesti-
mate the rapIdty OF the fire and the diff
liculty OF putting it out forest fire
Is always frightening spectacle. particu-
larly II IT Is sweeping in the direction OF
ones own property Men often become
entirely unnecessary, Back firing neces-
sarIly involves deliberately burning over
property When this belongs to another
danger. there is n great temptation TO
sacrifice II.
Plan of Back Firing.
III It is found that back fire Is neces-
sary. n favorable point Is selected direct
ly in front of the fire. from which to
set the new fire. This must be a point
where il is safe to start back fire.
such as road. fire line, stream OF
swamp. The leaves are ignitcd ut points
five foct to rod apart for u distance
not greater than the estimated width of
the head OF the fire. These small fires
gradually meet and form continuous
line eating back against the wind. A
part of the crew Is stationed across the
road or other break from which the back
fire Is started and put out at once the
small fires which may result from the
sparks blown over from the back fire
"1-le meeting of the two fires stops at
once the head OF the main fire. 1t Is
usually possible then to attack the wings
with the ordinary methods OF lighting.
II Is necessary TO attack the wings at
once, particularly il there Is strong
wind for otherwise each wing OF the old
fire would soon form an independent fire
with a welldeveloped head, II Is neccs-
aary. also. that number or men be sta
tioned where the original fire and the
back fire meet In order To eXtinguish
smoldering fires In tops, logs and other
debris"
"A fire is never out" the bulletin con-
rludes until the last spark Is extin-
,ulshe,d. Ofton II log or snag will smolder
unnoticed after the flames have appar-
entity been conquered, only to break out
A fresh with rising wind After the fire.
8ghting crew has left the ground 1t Is
always we'll to assign at least one man
10 patrol the edges OF the burned area
NTH II is certain that the fire is entirely
out, This may not be for several days"