Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-03-19

when the fire season opens In Aprii
IN the national forests in New Mex
leo the forest service will be- in a
position 20 wage the most efficient
and systematic campaign against the
fire demon ever iuauGurnied. By
means of an elaborate and complete
system of fire patrols which win ou
alla the gseatesl possible loreg ~
fire fighters with tho ampieat supply
az provisions and equipment. to be
modified Ia the shortest possible
time, even In the larger forests IN
the more remote districts. where
communication Is difncplt ana the
flames hard 10 combat
"The idea IL 20 make use Of brains
as well as muscle in the campaign
for fire protection" said District
Forester a. =. Ringiand today We
have been working hard on this fire
patrol system ana believe that by the
time the fire season begins the serv-
ice will be in "a position 10 DO the
most effective work along this linc In
iis history, A good deaf 81 military
science ~ being utilized IN the estab-
lishment Of this fire patrol system. II
includes not only telephones but such
other modern devices as range find
ers and fire towers. with a thorough
organization which extends from the
district headquarters through the SUI
pervisor to the district rangers. the
extra patrolmen, the villages and the
isolated ranches
That the movement for more eff
Client fire protection IN the national
/ forests IL backed up by the support
OF the people was shown BY the
1 promptness with which the western
representatives Ia congress. including
/ New MexicO's congressman, opposed
the proposition 20 cut down the fire
/ fighting appropriation. As result u
was finally placed az half a million
dollars. a fund for emergency work
which u Is believed will be ample
under ordinary circumstances for the
need.
some $4,000 was spent IN the local
district last year Ia fighting fire ana
tho record for the season was one
with which the district officials are
well pleased. II is the Intention this
year Go beat last years record, ano
Judging from tho preparations which
lhHve been made tnis ambition VIII DC
lIeaiizcd.
ON the Datil Forest.
a study OF the fire patrol map OF
the Datil forest, with headquarters
lof Supervisor Goddard at Magdalena
the largest forest IN New Mexico with
Ian area OF two million acres in th'
widest ana ieas. settled country ~
lthe state, shows IN an interesting
manner the detailed system by whicf
Il ls hoped 20 run the fire demon
back 60 his lair and keep him chained
The fire hazard is unusually great
Ion the natll forest on account OF itf
Iisoiated nature and the large number
OF flOcks OF sheep and cattle which
lare grazed within It's boundaries; with
lid resultant large number Of herders
which means more camp lres and
more danger Of the starting OF o con
Migration. Lightning Is also q pro-
lliic cause OF forest fires, which mus'
be taken into consideration. OWNS
TO the fact that the service has as yet
Inc private telephone TO Magdalena
the telephone system has not been
lcarrled far into the Datil country and
II becomes necessary 20 rely upon q
System Of mail boxes for communities
iion. every district ranger Is fur
nished with a map OF his forest, show
ing the fixed beat OF every ranger and
4 pauClman. the location ~ the nal
leNeg iOotnIt points aud SO forth
During the fire season 80 men Will be
Iemployed TO guard this immense area
OF forest land from damage by fire
When & Is considered that the Dati
forest measures rs miles from side tS
side 81 will be seen that without thor
ough organization the task Is a form
ldable one.
SO thorough Is the system, however