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

for variable distances are cleared but In the
ordinary ground fire such work Is usually too
slow and unnecessary
The best tools used by fre-hghting crew in
the mountains axes, shovels and mattocks or
grub hoes, the hoes being usually In greatest
proportion and most effective Often one or two
crosscut saws useful. particularly where the
hre is travelling through a lot Of down timber
The axmen generally go first, clearing out and
cutting away the heavy stun along the line: then
follow the grub hoe or mattock men, breaking
through tho heavy sod and roots; and last the
shovel men, who clean out the trail or, as might
be stated. put the finishing touches on the work
OF the others. The amount of work q gang OF
men can do depends upon various circumstances,
such as the nature of the country, tools avail
able. etc. but roughly 1t might be said that a
gang OF twenty men can build mile OF line a
day
Aside from few general principles there are
no set rules for fighting forest 1res-in fact II
Is far from backand.white proposition Rath-
er, II calls into play Initiative and headwork,
and the result attained bears mute evidence OF
the success or failure of the supervising officer,
although always 1t must be remembered that
that uncertain and uncomfortable factor the
wind can snatch victory from the hands of man
SO quickly and easily as to make II seem some.
times yeritable mockery OF his efforts And
too, the unbelievable action Of fire, even when
apparently under control, makes It absolutely
necessary that 1t be watched closely and CON
QnuouSly until there ID not single remaining
vestige Of its existence
Among the principal causes OF forest fires are
locomotive sparks. lightning camp fires left I'M
extinguished burning OF slash In clearing land,
logging operations-principally from fire In the
resultant slash accumulated by the average log
ger In cutting area There are minor
other ways. such as incendiarism ashes from a
pipe. lighted cigar or cigarette stub or lighted
match cast thoughtleasly aside. The first three
mentioned. however, the most general
When fire has assumed the proportions
of large top fire, It is generally inadvisable To
attempt to check II; rather, 1t is good Judgment
to consider the safety Of the hre fighters them.
selves. That they may be in readiness TO
attack the fire wien It again leaves the tops of
the trees and assumes its slower progress along
the ground
1t might Ne mentioned right here that forest
fires. with particular reference to ground fires
do not always destroy standing timber. but often
only the very small trees, brush and surface
cover or humus. Potential timber. Of course has
q distinct value. and the destruction of a good
soil cover ID decided detriment to the forest
but many trees. such as Douglas fir tamarack
and yellow pine, have thick heavy bark which
forms good resistance TO fire and will often
Withstand periodic ground fires for years Other
trees with thin bark Of course. tuccumb quite
readily
In the report ef the secretary of agriculture
embodied = the Yearbook Of the department Of
agriculture sor 1911, he states that the fires OF
the calendar year 1910 covered more than 5000.