The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-07-07
WHEN OUT CAMPING FIGHT FIRE

A new policy with regard to fire
tools has been inaugurated on the
Caribou National forest. While there
have been no very serious fires in
recent years, it iS felt that this record
is no guarantee for the future. The
new system of providing tools for
fire-fighting is designed to equip the
forest with everything needed for
meeting any emergency that may
arise. Boxes have been made for the
storage of the tools and these slender
upright caches, rooted owe and
painted white, will be well-known OBJ
jects of interest thruout the forest.
Neat lettering in black will state
their ownership and purpose, thus
preventing molestation except in case
of fire. Metal devices, like those
used for sealing freight car doors
will be attached. Anyone is author
lied to break the seal and take the
tools If there is a fire and use of the
tools would be of advantage in put
ting it out. Unauthorized appropria-
ton Of the tools is considered a very
serious offense, in fact, it has been
classed as a felony, punishable by
heavy fines and Imprisonment. 1t
seems unfortunate that such harsh
measures should be necessary, but
experience has shown that there are
occasional people who will take adj
vantage Of unprotected properly.
No n should hesitate to use the
equipment for the purpose for which
it has been placed in the hills. After
breaking a cache and putting out a
fire, the nearest forest officer should
be notified so that he can rearrange
the tools and replace the seal. 1t
might be added that the local officers
do not expect many fires that will
not be reached by some member of
the force very shortly after it is dis
covered.
There will not be a great number
of the caches, but they will be placed
at strategic points thruout the for
est, from which they can be easily
reached from areas subject to un-
usual danger Of fire. Each box will
contain four shovels, two axes, two
mattocks, two files and one water
bag. Parts of the handles will be
painted a vivid red and the tools will
be devoted strictly to fire use. In
addition to the caches, larger sup
plies of tools and equipment will be
stored at each ranger station and
these articles also, will be used for
fire only.
Maps and lists in the supervisors
office at Montpelier and in the ranger
stations will show the locations of
the caches and the tools in each sta
tion SO whenever a phone message
reaches the office telling of a fire,
the supervisor will be able at once
to determine just what equipment is
on hand for the particular fire and
where additional tools car be gotten
with least delay.
The extensive use of the forest by
stock has tended to keep fires down
during the recent past. Use of the
forage removes a mass of material
that would become highly inflamable
in late summer If left, and in addi-
ton, the stockmen are usually very
careful with fire, at least while sheep
and cattle are m the forest.
Years ago, however, large areas
now included in the forest. were
swept by fire and everyone who rides
in the hills is familiar with the big
brush slopes, Uttered with dead and
down timber. What is not noticed
by many people is the great amount
Of young timber growth springing
up in the burned areas. The pines
and frs are easily able to make their
way up thru the brush, shading out
and killing the smaller growth.
Large stretches now covered with
chaparral will eventually be taken
by valuable stands of timber, useful
For fencing and building, provided
fires are kept out. AS the young
grow up and the brush dies
out the fire danger will increase very
and fire control will be a