The Raymer enterprise., 1913-11-13
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city and admres the fearless and systematic
work of the hremen fighting to subdue the
flames. Here they are but minutes away from
the source of the fire. with speedy conveyances
for reaching 1t and every possible assistance OF
human ingenuity to control the fire.
Compare this with the many obstacles with
which the forest fre-fghter has to contend
Sometimes he is more than days journey from
the fire. He has limited and often inexperi-
enced crew to help him. He must travel on foot
or on horseback and he cannot lope along as
they do in the city professionalism trails are
not made for loping horses. He must rely on
packhorses for conveying commissary supplies.
because 1t may mean many days Of hard work
ahead OF him on the burning area. Very often.
Indeed. he must blaze his way a number OF miles
through a tralless wilderness, carrying his bed
and grub on his back, and through country
where every step seems a greater impediment
to rapid progress; and when he reaches the fire
It may be Of such proportions as to appal less
sturdy nature.
The rapidity with which fire can spread in the
mountains Is almost unbelievable. For instance
in 1910, by the middle of August over 5000
small fires had been put out by patrolmen and
over 90 large ones had been brought under con.
troll by crews OF from 25 to $50 men. And yet
when the cyclone of August 20 came, that work
with wonder and awe. Within As hours strip
OF country more than 100 miles long and more
than 25 miles wide had been burned over And
sun the fire was advancing. Against all this an
army OF more than 5000 men fought persistently
and courageously and always In the face OF over
wheming odds. yet never did they falter until
the rains came.
In passing II Is but 1ttlng to give credit to the
brave men In the governments employ, who
risked and lost their lives In earnest endeayors
to carry out their duties. and many are the tales
OF heroism and unselfsh devotion during those
strenuous times, when men toiled and sweated
shoulder to shoulder.
Men can and will. In the course OF time make
effort to reforest the great devastated areas. but
the scope OF years to carry out such work is
broad indeed. Mans best work. now and for al.
ways. lies In the prevention OF q recurrence of
such calamtles as have gone before. Through
Legislation man can compel the railroads to use
contrvances to prevent sparks from leaving the
engines; he can educate campers into the neces.
sity for their cooperation In extingushing camp
hres Ia truly little thing. yet big In results) and
exact severe penalty for failure to abide by tho
law: he can appropriate more money for i'm.
provement and protection work. to place the for.
ests under closer supervision and mako them
more accessible so that the fires caused by light.
ming. for instance. can be caught at their very
Inception: but mostly. he must enlist tho co.
operation OF all his fellowmen to help In the
great work OF preserving and perpetuating the
forests because they represent a source OF wealth
and necessity and beauty not to any single indi.
vidual, but one In which every member Of our
great country Ia. and always will be. directly or
indirectly. q participant even unto our childrens
children. I'D inanitum.