Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1913-05-09

In spite 81 the abundance 81 snow
and rain which has fallen very gem
orally throughout the mountains Of
Arizona and New Mexico during the
winter aud carly spring, number OF
hreH have already occurred on tho
national forests. Several small fires
nave bocu reported from the Coco
nino national forest In ARIZONA and
une has occurred on the Mount Tay-
i"r division of the Zuni. The largest
hrr thus far reported IA one which
recently burned over about goo acres
M the Sdudia mountains on the Man
Inuo nuiiOnal forest A fire which
was discovered on tho Alamo forest
900 p. M on April 10 was fought
from cnrl1 that evening until $50
u fn. un April 30 before u was finally
cNtiuRuishcd. This IRE was located
bN special lookout man located at
lookout tower. nom which he tale-
phoned the news of the fire 10 the
l"rhl ranger Reports indicate that
most 81 the fires thus far have been
caused by carelessness on the part az
campers or other users OF the for
"siA The large IRE on the Manzuno
resulted from grass fire which was
started by resident Of the commun-
iii and got beyond his control The
Aiumu hr" which was fought at con-
SIDERABLE expense aud time broke out
" icft burning These fires fan dis
unctlN. therefore, In the class OF fires
which might easily have been pre-
vented hy proper regard for the
Importance of fire protection on the
part OF those who started them.
la view at the enormous value of
forest resources to New Mexico and
Arizona IL ~ exceedingly important
that the puhliC be- reminded OF the
necessity ~ saving the forests from
burning ana that the utmost caution
De exercised, particularly Iva the use
Of camp fires in the mountains.
While fires nt the lower elevations or
dinnrily do not XIII standing mer.
chnutahlo timber because of tho open
nature 81 most OF the forests In the
southwest, they no, only ininre the
range but do great damage to Young
Seeding trees. The value % these
seedlings and immature trees Is often
not fully recognized, hut when n is
remembered that on n thrifty growth
1T reproduction depends the future
stands Of merChantahie timber and
the future protection OF the mead
Wnicrs Of streams important for irri-
gaiion. II can be readily realized
that every fire occurring In timber
land results In damage more or less
serious, even though this might be
difficult 60 figure AT the present time
la dollars ana cents.
the forest service has an organiza-
ton on each national forest for dis
covering hreF and lighting them when
they occur, Lookout towers have
been built where needed ana connect
ga by telephone lines with rangers
headquarters and towns and camps
whore fire nghters can be secured az
short notice. The organization Is
more complete thise year than ever
before and thousands 81 dollars are
being spent 10 provide for handling
serious emergencies " they occur /
tn" most important factor In lire
Protection, however Is nre proven
ton. and To- secure this the cn-opera-
ton ot the public IL absolutely nee I
cssary
Practically the only fires which !
cannot he prevented are those which /
result from lightning While q great
Wnay ~ these occur especially In the ,
hiEh mountains, they can usually be
located promptly by the lookouts
ana eNtinguishcd before much harm
is done. immunity from All other
GLASSES of fires depends upon an en- /
lightcned public opinion aud careful |
mess on the part Of every one who vie-
its the mountains. particularly during
the DRY season, This dangerous per-
Tod during which fire prevention be- I.
comes the chief feature OF the rang
"rs work on the national foreats, H.
tktly To commence very soon aud /
viii last until She opening of the /
rainy season In the middle Of the |
summer. u h during this season 7
particularly that residents uf tho for /.
est, fishermen and all others who /
have occasion 10 visit the mountains. ]
should keep constantly In mind the ,
40 Ha... N..HH a..IN a