The Republican journal., 1910-09-15
Fighting Forest Fires.

WASHINGTON, September II. Officials
of the U. S. Department of Agriculture
are CT the opinion that 1910 will hold the
record among many years for the sever
ity of the losses from forest fires. The
summer fires followed spring season
believed to have been the worst, certain
ly in the Lake States, known for long
time. Nor is it wise to Gssume that the
danger is over when the fierce conf1agra-
lions which have called forth in the
Mountain States the efforts of three
Federal Departments have been conquer
ed. The forests will not be safe until
the fall rains and SHOWS have once more
made wet blanket of 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 prevented is
matter of general public concern. 10
the National Forest timber burned must
be added great amounts on State and
private holdings, besides the immense
damage done to town, farm, and other
property. Railroads have suffered from
the interruption of traffic as we'll as
from direct losses. A bulletin by For
ester Henry S. Graves discusses forest
fires and the proper methods OF prevent
ing and fighting them, as follows:
I'm some sections of the country for
est fires have always been of such COM
mon occurrence that there is popular
motion that they can not be prevented.
The risk from fires can never be entirely
eliminated, for in the forest there is al
ways in1ammable material which is very
easily ignited. They may, however, be
largely prevented, and under efficient
organization their damage may be kept
down to very small amount. The prob
lem is like that in cities, where fires can
never be entirely eliminated, but where
the risk of loss to property may be re-
duced almost to insignificance.
The Importance of systematic pro-
vision for the early discovery of fires and
for getting properly equipped force OF
FIRE fighters quickly to the scene of an
outbreak is insisted upon by Forester
Graves. "a careful supervision or
patrol during the dry season." he says,
lis one of the most important measures
IN organized forest protection. One OF
she fundamental principles in fire pro-
lection is to detect and attack fires in
ol1f
the value Of lookouts, telephone or sig
NAL 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 recog-
nized in fighting fires in cities. The fol-
lowing are of first Importance: Q) quick
arrival at the fire; (2) an adequate force;
(3) proper equipment; az a thorough or
ganization of the fighting crew, and (5)
skill in attacking and fighting fires. Quick
access to fires is accomplished through
the work of supervision and patrol in
discovering fires before they have gained
much Roadway. and by well-developed
system of communication 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 a well-organized
system of patrol the guard who discovers
a fire communicates quickly to other
guards and to headquarters by telephone,
signal or other means, and indicates the
number of men he needs.
"The efficiency of the fire-fghting crew
depends very largely on the 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
surfing I'll anu SAllOll VI lHC WIN, eiiS
z,apidity with which the fire is running,
and many other points have to be taken
INTO consideration.
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
Sierce that it is impossible to meet it d.
sectly. 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
she 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 narrower path. Usual
ly the front can be directed toward some
cleared space, road, pond, stream,
swamp or fire line, when it will be check
ed enough to admit of direct front