Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1911-11-09
WHITMAN FOREST.

!. Whitman National Forest Jus
prepared by Supervisor Irelan
shows many interesting facts
1t shows that, out of a total are
of 949, 176 acres, but 103 acres, Q
e approximately .00011 of the en-
I tire area, was burned over dun
S ing the past season. The est
! mated loss was 141, 900 feet B. M
of sawtimber, valued at approx
[ mately $4,000, besides 500
damage to young growth and t,
: forage. A total of 81 fires ha.
been reported by the rangers
nearly all of which were discov
cred and extinguished while
small, only two having burned
over an area greater than ter
acres. This comparatively large
number Of small fires reported
and the scarcity Of large ones
speaks well for the efficiency of
patrol.
Needless to say the Supervisor
and Rangers are extremely well
pleased with the result of their
work. Last seasons disastrous
record has not been without it's
beneficial effects. A more efici-
ent organization on the part of
the Forest Service has been eff
ected and better cooperation on
the part of the local population
obtained.
During the past season Forest
officers were stationed upon sew
eral of the highest points upon
the Whitman, keeping constant
lookout for fires. Such observa-
ton stations were maintained at
North Powder Lakes, upon Yin
egar Hil in the Greenhorn Noun
tains, upon Dixie Butte, and upon
Baldy Mountain, about 20 miles
south of Austin. These men re-
ported all fires seen to the central
Office and some one was i'm
sent to extinguish
them. Telephone connections
part of these lookout
points extremely valuable and
emphasized the importance of
such connections from a central
office to all points throughout the
Forest.
All men employed upon the
Forest, even though not on
special fire patrol, always regard
ed this as their first duty and
we're on constant lookout for fires.
Not the least effective feature
If the past season has been the
cheerful and willing cooperation
IN the part of settlers through
)ut the country in reporting and
lighting fires. Without This as
;istance even the most thorough
would be ineffective I
md the Forest Service wishes to
express its appreciation for the
valuable assistance
which has been so rendered.
The putting out of a asmall smould- {
ring fire or telephoning to some
Forest officer reporting a smoke
which has been seen may seem a !
mall thing, yet it may save a T
oss of thousands of dollars and is !
.lways fully appreciated. 7
The fire season always carries :
With it a feeling of anxiety and :
uncertainty. Each season teaches
IS lessons and helps in the i'm :
rovement of the fire protection +
Ian, but always there is danger 7
nd when everything is apparent .
Y safe, bad fires are liable to oc- 5
ur. Hence the need for an eff I
lent organization and continued Il
igilence on the part of the Forest a
for constant and hearty +
assistance on the part >
f local residents and of users of
he Forest, and for constant care v
nd thoughfulness on the part of l
very one upon or passing over r
lr public forests. Without this |;
-e can look for nothing but dis y
ster and loss; with it we may =
Spect many seasons that are no 9
.Ore destructive, or even better Il
ian the one just past. "