Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-02
MEN WHO FAIL
TO FIGHT FIRES
ARE .SLACKERS'
Universal Use of Automo-
biles has Done Wonders in
Saving Valuable Crops.

San Francisco, CAL, Aug. Ia new
civic responsibility has been recog-
nized and accepted by the people liv-
ing in those sections Of the far west
Inc the Pacific slope where grass and
forest fires are likely to occur at any
time. The obligation to help combat
these fires has cheerfully and willing
ly been assumed by all communities
according to r.. f. Hammatt. of che
United States Forestry service. The
man who without valid excuse fails
to enter into the conflict when a fire
occurs in his neighborhood is regard
ed much in the same light as the
mafIof draft age who deliberately en-
beavers to shirk his responsibilities.
There is nothing of a selfish nature
i16the assumption of this community
responsibility. 1t reaches from one
community into another. Not only
do the citizens of the immediate
Heighborhood where the fire breaks
out turn to-. but as soon as news of a
CONFEDERATION spreads, automobiles
from all parts Of the surrounding
country soon are pouring out their
leads of fire-fghters armed with
shovels, gunny sacks, axes, POTABLE
e~xtinguishexs and other armament
useful in fighting fire in the pen.
When a comparatively few years
ago, a handful of men would have
to wage "a losing fight for, many
hours, the universal use of the auto
mobile has made it possible to rush
fighters into action within an hour
from all points of the compass with
in a radius of fifty miles.
A wet gunny sack or heavy strip
OF carpet used as a fail is considered
one of the most effective weapons for
combating a grass fire. The speed
with which a fire will spread over
dry grass is incredible to those who
actually have not see it. Under the
impulsion Of an ordinary breeze, it
will travel considerably faster than a
quick walk. With a good wind it, will
jump ahead at horse racing speed.
The gunny sacks are Used largely in
combining the width Of the burning
swath of land, the fighters following
on the fires and thus keeping to
windward of the smoke and heat: To
check its advances shovels- are requis-
itioned, men going far ahead of the
fire and bareing a wide strip of earth
across the advance.
Once the fire gets into the timber
the axe is requisitioned for use in
cutting a swAth through the growth
in the advance. Not the least impos-
ing features OF a forest fire. are the
roar of the surging flames and the
sharp crackle Of the burning wood.
AS tall frs catch fire the flames burst
high into the heavens. ascending sew
1eral hundred feet. In less than
thirty seconds the tree has been
stripped Of every vestage Of yerdure
and stands a silhouetted skeleton,
against the ongoing wall Of fire.
Able bodied women do not hesitate
to take their place alongside OF the
men at the fighting front but they
can do heroic service, .'behind the
lines" One constantly. needed form
of ammunition is>water. A. steady
stream of buckets must be kept COM
ing up, following the advance so that
the fighters may dip their gunny
sacks or carpet strips into 1t. A few
minutes of, steady fighting. suffice to.
dry them and to be really effective
they must be kept heavy with water
water snpplylM left further in the
rear and the task Of bringing It up.
tbecomes a more heartbreaking one,
particularly, as steep hills intervene.
Forest rangers, veterans OF. many
conflicts against fires, quickly assume
charge and givA every fighter his al
loted work to do, placing the forces
at their disposal where they can do.
the most effective work.
II the fire covers aSwide range and
is long In being brought under con-
ttrol the fighters are divided into re-,
lays so - TO allow some to rest up;
while Others continue the battle. IN.
these long drawn out battles with
Icountry. a : the most important fac.
ltor in 6eefng tol.it that the exhausted
meg are kept supplied with food and
hot coffee. These are moved sup 40
1.-THE lighters by all memberD OF the.
family, boys and girls being requisi-
toned to carry the baskets 0f4edibles
and pots OF Sdrifkables. Bandages.
and sweet oil are not forgotten and
Ling line In the event that anyone Is
burned.
a sharp lookout has to be. main-
tanned at all times to see to Il that
lAone ri the fighters, gets on from
lsafety. With : Wind blowTtnE, nying