Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-20

eight years. when supplies Of tools are
ready ~ every point. and the force Of
summer nremen is increased TO the neces-
sary number II will be almost impossible
for A forest fire TO get such a start as did
those Of the last year. even though drouth
and high winds are against the forest
guardians.
THE experience OF the last season clearly
demonstrates the requirements for ade-
quate protection Of the national forests
says Forester Graves. They are:
"A network Of roads and trails for patrol
and for the transportation of fire fighters
and equipment,
Fire lines to supplement roads and
trails as an aid in fighting fires.
"A system Of telephone lines for quick
communication.
Lookout stations TO aid the patrol.
Hanger cabins to enable the stationing
of rangers and guards at critical points
throughout the forest.
IAN equipment OF tools for fire fighting.
An equipment Of pack trains in the re-
mote forests
An adequate force of trained patrolmen
TO prevent fires and to organize and direct
the fighting Of such fires as may be
started"
Sources of Fire.
The sources Of fire in the forest are now
well known. Last year there we're nearly
5000 fires, but less than Is per cent Of these
did any great damage. out OF 1855 OF the
fires that were carefully studied, 1,56s were
set by railroad engines, ~ by lightning,
45l by campers. 2S4 by brush burning, 2s6
were incendiary in character and II were
set by sawmills. The causes OF over
thousand were not known.
.l..
has been made. The careless camper,
pushing back into the remote parts of the
forest, is source of great danger. If he
leaves his camp fire unprotected. or throws
matches or cigars about the tinderlike
woods. Signs have been posted all through
the forests, printed in many languages,
cautioning against carelessness, and noti-
flying men where fires can be quickly re-
ported to the rangers.
In district No. 8, comprising the forests
OF California, a method of securing posi-
tive aid from the campers has been de-
vised Registers are established at the
rangers cabins along the well Travelled
forest trails The camper cannot be forced
to sign, but map of the forest has been
| provided, giving all roads, trails, meadows
where feed can be obtained and similar
data. Rules for the care of fire and sum
maries OF the game and fire laws are
| printed on the margin.
The camper is usually ready to exchange
| his name, address and destination for one
of these maps. and when he has signed ur
at the rangers cabin he feels new respon-
siblity for his conduct in the forest.
All Are Spotted.
The rangers have spotted on their maps
| aafflar afopknan ~
other persons in the forest. They work out
where they can be assembled. what fire
equipment can be given them and how
they can be quickly rushed to the fire. The
forest rangers travel through the country
listing the fire equipment at every camp
finding out how much equipment the coun-
try stores carry and establishing caches OF
supplies and shovels. picks. blankets anc
other fire fighting apparatus where none
are to be had.
THE Importance of communication be.
tween the lookouts. the patrolmen and the
district rangers cannot be too strongly
emphasized" says Coert Du Bots, asso
oiate forester Of the fifth district. "A
patrolman out Of communication who doe.
not happen to see fire just as soon as &
starts loses most of his effectiveness. II,
then becomes simply fire fighter. who's,
only advantage over any other fire fighter
is in his training.
1T is the fire preventers we must have
Forest fire fighting on the spur OF tn,
moment is about as likely to be effective al
would be the efforts of volunteer buckle
brigades in a large city"
The fighting of the big fires in the north
west last year cost the government ovei
100000 in actual expenses. the lives Of
over seventy volunteer firemen and de
stroyed government timber worth SOS 900, 900
Private and state losses were much greater
than this. These fires probably could no
have been prevented. Once they were wei
under control the hurricane of August .
swept every smoldering fire into a raginI
blast.
At present the forest service is expert
menting with the portable army telephone
Rangers and fire patrolmen are carryinJ
these portable telephones on horseback
and string them from the established line
up the mountains to new lookout points
II is not unlikely that the portable tele
, phone will become q fixed part of the fight
. ing apparatus
1 From every advantageous point in tn
big forests lookout men are watching 70
4 the outbreak of fire. Many of these look
out points are connected by telephone witt
' the ranger cabins and the forest head
quarters; others have TO depend on tn
Photograph. smoke signals or other mean
I OF communication.
Methods of Prevention.
While the forest guardians are pushing
h their preparations to detect and stop fires
Q they are as active in the effort I,
e strengthen the methods OF prevention
: against fire outbreaks Two main DANCE
: zones are recognized by the forest ranger
r First, the point where fires may start lik
the logging camp. the railroad track or
camping ground; second, the point wher
y II can do most damage as in a region
> where lumbermen have left the "slashings
a from the tops of the trees, or in a stretcl
q OF the forest where the wind has blown
trees down.
4 The preventive measures are being rig
a idly enforced. The precautions agains
= campers have been stated The railroad
and sawmills are being induced to us
!, spark arresters; and the railroads usual
patrol their tracks and attempt TO proven
!. any fire. Wherever oil-burning engine
/, are used a forest is free from danger
Along the new transcontinental line OF tn
Chicago. Milwaukee & 81. Paul road
=, where oil Is used In the engines not