The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-08-26
Cause and Effect
Of Forest Fires.
BY w. b. Seifert, Ranger, Northern
Forest Protective Association.

y
cause, there is an effect, although in
some cases the latter is trivial. Still,
the fact remains that there will be an
effect, no matter what the cause, and
in some cases the effect is appalling.
In this article wish to make clear
first the causes of forest fires; second,
the effect upon every person, property
owner and sportsman.
The causes of forest fires are various
and, in some cases, remarkable. Sta
tics show that about forty per cent of
all forest fires originate from the farm
er or settler burning brush while clear
ing land. This is by far. the greatest
single cause of fire and it is one which
can most easily be controlled by the in
dividual.
Locomotive engines rank next as
settlers of forest fires. The emission Of
sparks and live cinders has ever been a
source of fires which it has been diff
cult to overcome. The law provides
that every locomotive shall be equipped
with an efficient spark arrester, but in
a great many cases no effort is made
to live up to the law and in many 9TH
ers the arresters devised are anything
but efficient. The enactment Of this
law has however, lead to experiments
and study and efficient arresters are
undoubtedly being devised which will
entirely take care of the danger from
this source.
Another frequent cause is the failure
on the part of sportsmen and berry
pickers to completely extinguish their
camp fires. To begin with, camp fire
should be built only large enough to
serve the requirements of the camper.
1t should be built on barren soil and
not against logs or close to brush and
rubbish. When the camp fire is left it
should be completely extinguished eth
er by thoroughly drenching with water
or covering with sand. !.
Very frequently the throwing of ci-
gar or cigarette stubs, pipe ashes and
lighted matches along the highway or
river bank, results in serious fires by
igniting a decayed log, brush pile or
leaves and smouldering for hours, days
or even weeks until heavy wind has
famed it into flame which is unno-
ticed for several days and then found
to be uncomfortable. The prevention
of fires from these causes requires
nothing but care. The man who
smokes in the forest should deposit the
cigar stub, the ashes from his pipe or
the remnant of his cigarette in place
where there is no possibility of fire and
then it is very easy to extinguish by
grinding into soil with the foot. The
match which is used to light the pipe
or cigar should be held until it is en-
tirely out, and even then should not be
thrown into grass and leaves.
Another cause of fires which is never
thought of, or if thought of at all is
not given credence, is the action of the
rays of the sun upon glass, tending to
spontaneous combustion. The focusing
of the sun by bottle or broken piece
of glass creates burning glass, and if
the conditions are favorable the sur
face covering of leaves Or dry grass
might be ignited.
Taking into consideration all of
these causes and the increased slash
ings, our fire risk is getting greater
each year.
The second part Of this article is in
the interest of every man, woman and
child, as tending to promote health,
happiness and wealth.
! take up first the effect upon the
citizens in general. We must all ac-
knowledge that we are never so happy
or feeling so well as when we are hav-
ing few weeks in the woods during
the hunting. fishing and berry seasons.
What would you do without this pleas
ure? You answer, 'Do without it"
Perhaps you can, but you'll find it a
hardship and one that cannot easily be
overcome. A little serious thought up
on this subject will show you that your
argument is both needless and wrong.
The camping privilege is open to all
and should be enjoyed by all. Reason
able care will perpetuate the privilege.
Then there is the man who follows
the woods for livinp-the lumberiack
and the trapper. You say, "He could
do other work." We grant that. but
would he be happy and contented?
You know every man must have rec
reation and many seek SOLITUDE, and
where can greater solitude be found
than in the woods?
In the effect Of fire upon the holder
of timber or farm lands we find among
the first affected many man who has
invested the savings Of years in small