Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1923-04-20
THE KIND OF
COOPERATION
THAT PAYS


white spot or blotch was caused by
a small fire which fortunately burn
ed out Of its own accord. This does
not happen very often but usually
the fire leaves q great burned-over
area like that OF Rock creek or Cat
creek. so II you see 4 fire do your
best to put II out and report It to
the nearest forest officer SO that
all help possible can be given to our
hills that they may carry on their
great functions OF being controllers
OF stream flow. a storehouse for all
fish. game and bird life. and chief
of recreational resources; also
things of beauty.
As you look at Pintada peak.
Windy peak. Silver mountain and
Greeny mountain on your motor
trips during these fine spring days
and note the dark green areas OF
heavy timber in striking contrast to
the white OF the open park lands
and high barren peaks above tim
ber line. also the contrast between
the dark green and the sort Of dirty
white which takes up the greater
portion of the landscape. does II
ever occur to you that practically
all OF this area below timber line
was once the dark green OF heavy
timber. In fact the dark green was
changed to dirt white. which mars
the whole landscape, in the late
eighties. when what is known As the
Hot Fire or the Big Fire swept
through the Rock creek country.
This fire WAS started by lightning
near the head of the north fork OF
Rock creek. II was seen by q man
while he was coming from Summit
willie to Monte Vista. He stopped
and worked a short time and decid-
ed that the fire would do no dam
age. He came on down North Rock
creek and told the saw mill men
then operating at the forks Of Rock
Creek that = fire was burning. but
they also felt that II would do NO
damage. In two days a wind came
up and drove the fire down across
the Rock creek drainage basin.
The damage done by this fire can
safely be estimated to be $4,000
in value OF timber destroyed. The
amount Of damage in the way Of
decreasing amount OF water avail
able for irrigation. the number Of
/ fish. number OF game animals. birds
and mos, OF all robbing the people
/ Of one OF the most beautiful and
easily reached recreational areas.
cannot be estimated In dollars and
are losses that are not ~ yet fuilv
, felt. bat these are losses which will
be indirectly felt by every person
/ In San Luis valley for years to come.
A, one time this fire could have
easily been put out by one person
and at the time Il Was actually dis
covered Il could have been put out
by one or two men in . few hours
work. but At that date II Was gen.
orally considered no ones business
to see that natural wealth WAS pro-
tccted.
How things have changed a. to
the attitude OF who 10 responsible
for the protection Of our forests
from fire WAS well illustrated last
fall when report was received at
the supervisors headquarters that
smoke had been smelt In the vicinity
of Sumner. not for several days bet
Just now. Immediate action vas
taken by the Forest Service and II
was learned that the smoke had
drif,ed into the head Of the Ala.
mosa river from . fire near Pasoss
Springs which was bsiag fought b
a crew Of men. An evening or tws
later two calls were sent in b.
ranohers that . bad looking firs
was burning In Rock creek park
On investigation Il was learned thai
q cabin had accidently bean sst Of
fire and that Il had not even col
good start before the Forsst
Ranger was notified Of the fire.
This il the kiad OF eooperatios
that will hold the fires to . mial.
mum and prevent any such firs u
burned the Rock creek country.
The vsek OF April - 70 April %
has b~en set aside By Presidential
proclamation for the purpose ol
awakening more Interest In the 60.
operation between the public and
the small force Of Forrest eerviea
men. also 10 help drive home ths
sssd Of care With fire while on ~
creation tsips ~ that others may -.
5ey the sane bsautses Of nature. L.