Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-11-28

city and admirea the fearless and systematic
work Of the hramen fighting TO subdne tho
flames, Here they are but minutes away from
the source OF the fire. with speedy eonveyRneea
for reaching II and every possible assistance Of
human ingenuity 20 control tho Are,
Compare this with the many obstacles with
which the forest hre.hghter has to contend.
Sometimes he Is more than days Journey from
the FIRE. lie has a limited and often inexpsri-
enced crew TO help him. He must travel on foot
or on horseback. and he cannot lope along az
they do in the city parks--mountaln trails arc
not made for Looping horses. He must rely on
paekhorses for conveying commlHsaFy supplies.
because II may mean many days OF hard work
ahead Of him on the burning Very often.
indeed no must blaze his way n number OF miles
through trailless wilderness. carrying his bed
and grub his back and through a country
where every step seems a greater impeachment
to rapid progress; and when he reaches the fire.
II may be OF such proportions to appall a less
sturdy nature
The rapdlty with which FIRE can spread in the
mountains In almost unbelievable For instance
in 1910. by the middle OF August over g. 900
small fires had been put OUT by patrDlmen and
over 80 large ones had been brought under con.
troll by crews of from rs 10 $50 men And vet
when the cyclone of August 20 came that work
was all nndone so quickly aa 70 make one gasp
with wonder and Within Is hours a strlD
Of country more than 100 miles long and more
than 25 miles wide had been burned over And
still the fire was advancing Against all this an
army of more than 1000 men fought persistently
and courageonsly and always In the face of over.
whelming odds yet never did they faIter until
the rains came.
In passing. II Ii but hitting 10 give credit TO tho
brave men in the governments employ Nho
risked and lost their lives ia earnest endeay ors
70 carry out their duties. and many are the tales
OF heroism and unselhsh devotion during those
strenuous times. when tolled and aweated
shoulder 10 shoulder.
Men can and WILL In the course OF time. make
emorf to reforest the great devastated areas but
the scope Of years 10 carry out such work IN
broad indeed Mans beat work now and for al.
ways lies In the prevention Of a recurrence on
such calamfties as have gone before Through
legislation man can compel the railroads 10 use
contriVances to prevent sparks from leaving the
engines he can educate campers into the peeea.
sity for their cooperation I'm eEtInRutsbinR cswn
nres "a truly little thing yet biz In results1 and
exact severe penalty for failure 10 abide hv The
law he can appropriate more money for Ina
proKernent and protection work. 70 place the for.
ess under closer supervision and make thsfa
more accessible, 50 that the fires caused b. lieht.
ming, for instance. be caught AT their very
Inception; but mostly be must enlist the 60
operation Of all bis feliowmen to help in the
great work Of preserving and perpetnatln9 the
forests because they represent a source OF wealth
and necessity and beauty. not 10 any single lndi.
Fidnal. but one tn which every member of onr
great country r.. and always will be directly or
indirectly. participant even unto our ehftdFsn.a
children. ad inhntum.