Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1924-07-18
FOREST VISITORS
TOTAL 100000
Need of Spreading Gospel
of Fire Prevention Is EN-
phasized by Forester.

prepared by the United States Department.
of Agriculture.)
The prominent part the 146 national
forests play in the recreational activi-
ties and outdoor life of the nation 10
emphatically brought home by the
fact that nearly 100000 persons
visited these forests during 1923, ac-
cording to the final tabdlation made
by the forest service, United States
Department of Agriculture.
The Importance Of the automobile
as a means of conveyance to recrea-
ton seekers is shown by the further
fact that more than eight out of ten
forest visitors, or over 100000 came
in prlyately-owned cars, while motor
busses accounted for an additional
fraction Of the total Hikers and
those who used the railroads made
up the balance.
Prevent Forest Fires.
The enormous number of automo-
bile travellers who enter the national
forests in all parts of the United
States emphasizes the need of spread
ing the gospel of forest-fire prevention
among all motorists. officials of the
forest service say.
Colonel w. B. Greeley, chief forest
er, has stated that so per cent of all
forest fires in the country-those
within national forests as well as on
privately-owned land-are the result
of human carelessness. To stop this
carelessness and to bring about
realization of what Americas forests
mean to the country's prosperity was
the aim of Forest Protection week.
''The most formidable agency Of
forest destruction and prevention Of
reforestation is fire" states the chief
of the forest service, "and of the fires
which annually devastate vast areas,
four-ffths are ascribed to human
agencies, and virtually all may be
controlled and made innocuous
through prudence, care, and vigi-
lance"
Chief Causes Of Fire.
Among the chief causes Of forest
fires, declares the forest service, Is
carelessness with cigarettes, cigars,
pipe ashes, matches, and camp fires.
'The floor Of wooded area" says
Chief Forester Greeley, "is composed Of
highly infiammable materials, and all
that is needed In dry weather to start
fire is to toss Q burning match, Gig
arctic, or cigar over the side of a ma
chine. This is especially true If there
is any wind to fan the blaze. Camp
fires built without first scraping away
all inflammable material, or which are
built close to brush and trees, are
also flrst-class forest fire breeders.
'The national forests belong to the
public, and the public Is welcomed by
all officers of the forest service.
Since 1917 the number of recreation
seekers has trebled. Almost 10000
600 visited the 146 national forests
during 1923.
"But in the interests Of national
safety the forest service is bound to
emphasize the hazards. arising from
carelessness with fire in the woods,
not only in those areas owned by the
federal government but In privately
owned areas as well.
mo citizen should calmly sit back
and say It's no business OF mine as
long as forest fires destroy lives and
every year. The acreage
swept by fires has averaged 100000
acres for the past seven years, and
the value of the timber and property
destroyed has averaged $16,500,OOO.
Every foot of timber destroyed In this
way adds to the economic burdens of
every citizen as the civilization Of
America is founded on the free use Of
wood.
"Simple rules for every person to
follow while in wooded country have
been worked out by the forest service.
These rules can be summed up in one
sentence: Use the same care with fire
In the woods as you do in your own
home When in one of the national
forests keep in touch with the forest
ranger Be guided by his advice and
at all times consider him as friend
whose duty it is to protect you and
the forests from the common enemy
fire."