The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-09-09
FIGHTING FOREST FIRES.

In8I lSlU VIII u0lQ tut FtcOTu
among many years for the severity
of the losses from forest fires. The
summer fires followed spring
season believed to have beep the
worst, certainly in the Lake States,
for a long time The forests will
not be safe until the fall rains and
SHOWS have once more made wet
blanket on the dry forest floor.
That the total losses OF the year will
run up to many millions of dollars
is considered certain.
How such losses may be pie
vented is matter of general public
concern. 10 the National Forest
timber burned must be added great
amounts on State and private hold
ings, besides the immense damage
done to town., farm and other
property. Railroads have suffered
frouf the interruption Of traffic as
well as from direct losses. A bulle
tin by Forester Henry s. Graves.
discusses forest fires and the proper
methods Of preventing and fighting
them, as follows:
10 some sections of the country
forest fires have always been of
such common occurrence that there
is a popular notion that they cannot
be prevented. The risk from fires
can never be entirely eliminated,
for in the forests there is always in
fammable material which is very
easily ignited. They may, however,
be largely prevented, and under
efficient organization their damage
may be kept down to a very small
amount, The problem is like that
IN cities, where. fire can never be.
entirely eliminated, but where the
risk of loss to property may be re.
duced almost to -insignificance /"
Aftef pointing out the value of
lookonts, telephone or signal com
munication and various methods OF
patrol, the Forester tells how to
fight fires, as follows:
1.-THE principles of fighting forest
fires are essentially the same as
thoserecognized in fighting fires in
cities. The following are of first
Importance: a. Quick arrival at
the fire; (2) an adequate force; (3)
proper equipment; (4) thorough
organization of the fighting crew,
and CO.. skill in attacking and
fighting fires.
A small fire may be put out by
one man, but. in extensive forests
seyera: 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.
s'The efficiency of the fire fight
ing crew depends very largely on
their skill and experience, and
particularly on the skill and exper
fence of the man directing the work.
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 so fierce that it is inn
possible to meet it directly. One
method under such circumstances
is to direct the course of the fire.
The attack is made on the sides
near the front, separating the for
ward 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, attacked from
the sides, is forced gradually and
constantly 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 direct front attack. 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
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 fight
ing, back firing becomes the only
means of stopping the fire. 1t
should, however, be used only when
it is absolutely necessary.
IF it is found that back fire
is necessary. a favorable point is
selected directly infrnnt of the fire,
from which to set the new fire.
This must be point where it is
safe to start a back fire, such as a
road, fire line, stream or swamp.
Tho loo VOC a 70 irnifo1 Of x,ostfo fxyn