The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1914-07-09
COOPERATE With
The FIRE WARDENS.

for burning slash without permit
from a fire warden, damage amount
ing to perhaps $4,000 to logs and
logging equipment in this state
through fires in slashings. but no
loss of green timber, is the record
for June, the first month of the
1914 forest fire season, according to
bulletins received from all parts OF
the Pacific Northwest by the West
ern Forestry and Conservation As
sOciatiOn.
All protective agencies were
placed ON the alert at the close of
June by the prospect of drying
wind. but the new forecast service
especially for forest fire conditions
Weather Bureau soon treasured
pressure in Western Canada had
split into two areas and the danger
was for time ayerted. Neverthe-
less all patrol forces are being
rapidly recruited for the season and
about 1000 men will be on duty in
a few days in Oregon. Washington,
Idaho and Montana. About 500 pa
trOlmen are employed in these states
by the timber owners protective as
sociatiOns, nearly 200 by the states
anl the Government jointly out
side the National Forests, and the
others by the Forest Service within
the National Forests. The British
Columbia GOvernment also has 225
men on duty.
July hazard to be guarded against
other than from campfires. is re-
ported to lie chiefly in slash burn
ing to cleac land and rights of way
and in leaving fires thus started to
shoulder in logs and stumps 10
break out later when the inevitable
hot and windy weather arrives. For
est officers announce that state laws
burning without permit
will be enforced rigidly
and also warn summer camping par
ties to be extremely careful with
Now that the summer season has
arrived we may look forward 10
of, and experiencing. the
usual forest fires. The annual loss
Of timber by fire runs up into the
millions of dollars, and regardless of
the precautions that are taken, much
valuable timber is consumed an
nually, comments the Mount Ver-
non Argus.
While it Is difficult to learn how
many of the large cOnflagratiOns
that lick up our forests start. 1t is
known that many in the past have
been started due to carelessness by
campers, as we'll as residents of the
wooded regions. The state is max
ing u valiant effort to protect the
timber from fire, and every citizen
of this commonwealth should do
his or her part towards protecting
one of Washington's largest natural
assets. 1t is criminal for campers
TO leave "a fire burning in the woods,
or even smouldering. 1t is an
easy matter to put fire complete
iy out. If there is no water at
nand earth will do as well.
Logging companies have been
taking greater precautions every
year against possible danger OF fire.
They have put spark arresters on
their donkey engines and locomo-
tives. hired patrOlmen and night
watchmen, and cautioned their en-
ployees against carelessness. Ihe
state has hired men to patrol the
woods, engaged in campaign OF
publicity to educate the people that
they may reduce to minimum the
danger Of setting fire In the woods,
and has done many other things 10
protect the precious timber.
Regardless of all that has Deeh
done along this line. continues The
Argus. there still remain people
who are criminally careless In the
woods, Fishermen thoughtiessly
throw lighted matches into piles OF
leaves dry as finder, campers leave
smoulderlng fires. and settlers IN
some districts, even at this time,
are careless in the burning OF slash
ings. The people of the entire state
should cooperate in every manner
to allay the danger of fire. A care
less act may result in thousands oL
dollars worth of damage. while II
due care is exercised there will not
be 50 many expensive fires. We
should all remember that fire In
few hours time can destroy that
which it has taken years to develop.
rs H. FUN vouup gentlemen who