The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-02

PLAN MOVEMENTS: s:
Better fire Profession and
Prevention Mans Pro
posed This Year.

trict forester and assistant district
forester. respectively. Of district No. /
Of the United States forest service. re-
turned to headquarters here yesterday
after q three weeks tour through the
timber lands in the western end OF
their territory. They inspected eight
national forests In western Montana
and northern Idaho. On the trip they
considered plans for extension Of serv-
ice work this year and the division Of
the 1917 allotment.
Six.s4our Basis.
One Of the most importants subjects
taken up by Mr.. Silcox on the trip was
the completion Of plans for placing the
forests in western Montana and north
ern Idaho on six-hour fire protection
basis. 1t is figured that a forest fire
begins to spread and take on serious
dimensions after it has burned for a
Few hours, and 1t is planned to make
preparations at strategic points SO that
the fires can be noticed and extin-
gpishcd within six hours. This will
mean the placing of lookouts at certain
points SO that they can pick up the
fires almost as soon as the blaze starts.
In placing the western Montana and
northern Idaho forests on q six-hour
basis. 1t is figured that the cost of the
increase in fire protection work will
ultimately amount to 100000.
The subject Of trail measurement,
which. on account of the immense
amount of territory over which the
district is scattered, is considered one
of the important problems Of the serv-
Ice, was also taken up by the officials
ON the trip. About 1000 miles of .tele-.
phone lines and 1000 or 5000 miles of
trails are Involved in this subject, and
all Of this must be given consideration
in the aliotments.
Sales Timber.
Mr. .Sitcox took up the question of
the anticipated increase in the cut of
timber on the national forests for sales
purposes, and conferred with the in
dividual foresters in an effort to make
preparations for al extensive demand
Of cut timber. Mr.. Silcox states that
an effort IL being made to observe
from the location OF the lumber mills
to what extent they will rely on timber
from the national forests for their cuts
1t is believed that an unusual amount
of fir ana cedar timber will be cut this
season to be used in the manufacture
Of pulp for paper.
Sheep Grazing Increases.
Mr.. Silcox states that extensive
preparations are being made in the
western part of the district for taking
care of the large number of sheep from
eastern Montana. Washington ana
Oregon. which will be grazed in the |
forests OF western Montana and north
ern Idaho this year. Due to the large
amount OF land taken up by settlers
under the G40-acre homestead law. and
also to tho sales of the Northern Pa
cific land. the sheep ranges in the
eastern part Of district No. have
been cut up and the big sheep outfits
In eastern Montana are looking TO-
wards the western part of the district
for grazing lands for their sheep in the
national forests. Outfits from as farI
east as Miles City and from Walla
Walfa and the blue mountains coun- i
try In Washington and Oregon have
made applications for grazing permits
IN western Montana and northernI
Idaho. 1t is estimated that at least
100000 heads OF sheep can be grazed
in the western part of the district.
The forest service has taken up the
matter Of railroad transportation OF
the flocks Of sheep. and it is probable
that present stockshipping conditions
may he alleviated somewhat.
The district forester also consideredl
in detail the question OF Equipment for
the members Of the forestry field serv.I
ice. For several years special Study Of
the most afficient mess. camp and
fire-ftghting equipments for the field
men has 'heen made and much has been
accomplished in this line. Individual
signal service equipments have also
been nerfected and are in use.
Fhe Officials wont over the question
Of horse replication and made arrange
ments for keeping the pack trains Of |
the, .scrvicegup to the standard. There
are about $50 horses used in the pack |
trains of the western part of the dis
trict. and as they furnish transporta-
ton for the service. they are con-
sidered one OF the important cogs.
The problem of maintenance and the
question OF the construction of newil
trails throughout the different forests
were given much attention by the Of
ficials.
After Mr.. Siicox returns from Salt
Lake he and Mr.. Rutledge will go on i
the final lap OF the annual allotment
tour through the eastern part Of the
district.