East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-11-03
TO SAVE
FORESTS EFFECTIVE
LOSS PERCENTAGE Is
SHOWN TO BE SMALL
Out OF a Total of Nearly One Million
Acres, One Hundred and Three
Acres Are Burned Oycr-MOney
Loss Only One Hundred Dollars.

An original campaign to save the
forests from devastation by fire IS be-
ing effective is evidenced by the an
nual fire report of the Whitman Ma
tional Forest just prepared by Super
visor ireland. 1t shows that, out OF
a total area of 949,176 acres, but lO3
acres, or approximately .OOOll OF the
entire area, was burned over during
the past season. The estimated loss
was 141, 900 feet b. NJ. of sawtlmber'
valued at approximately 800 90, be-
sides $1,000 damage to young growth
and to forage. A total of 90 fires
has been reported by the rangers,
nearly all of which were discovered
and extinguished while small, only
two having burned over an area great
er than ten acres. This compare
tively large number Of small fires re-
ported and the scarcity of large ones
speaks well for efficiency Of patrol.
Needless to say the supervisor and
rangers are extremely well pleased
with the results of their work Last
seasons disastrous record mas not
been without its beneficial effects. a
more efficient organization on the
part of the forest service has been
effected and better cooperation on
the part OF. the local population OBJ
tanned
During the past season forest Off
GERS were stationed upon several OF
the highest points upon the Whitman,
keeping constant lookout for fires.
Such dissertation stations were main
tained at North Powder Lekes, upon
Vinegar Hill in the Greenhorn noun
tanned at North Powder Lakes, upon
Badly mountain. about 20 miles south
of Austin. These men reported all
fires seen to the central office and
some one was Immediately sent to ex-
tinguish them. Telephone connec-
tions rendered part Of these lookout
points extremely valuable and empha-
sized the importance of such connec-
tions from a central office to al
points throughout the forest.
All men employed upon the forest
even though not on special fire patro
always regarded this as their firs
duty and were on constant lookou
for fires.
Not the least effective feature o
the past season." says Melvin L. Mer
4 been the cheerful and willing cooper
alton on the part of settlers through
out the country in reporting an
fighting fires. Without this assist
ance even the most thorough organ
= ization would be ineffective and tn
forest service wishes to express its al
probation for the extremely valuabl
u assistance which has been so render
4 ed. The putting out of a small smou
q dering fire or the telephoning to som
a forest officer reporting smok
a which has been seen may seem sma
4 thing, yet it may save a loss of thol
4 sands of dollars and is always full
4 appreciated
d "The fire season always carries wit
4 il a feeling of anxiety and uncertlnt.
Each season teaches its lesson an
helps in the improvement of the fiji
- protection plan, but always there
danger and even when everything
4 apparently safe bad fires are lab
j to occur. Hence the need for an e
8 ficient organization and continue
! vigilence on the part of the fore
B service. for constant and hearty CO
81 operation on the part of local res
dents and of nusers of the forest, an
for constant care and thoughtfulne
n on the part of every one upon
b passing over,our public forests. Witt
n out this We can look for nothing b
a disaster and loss; with it we may e
81 pect many seasons that are no mo
n destructive, or even better than Il
II one lust past"