, 1925-08-06

money damage was $3S 100000 ex-
elusive of damage to young growth,
watershed protection, wild life and
recreation.
These figures. say forestry officials
clearly reflect the bad forest fire con-
ditions which prevailed last year., es-
pecially in many Southern States
and in California. Compared with
the calendar year 1928, the 1924
figures represent an increase of 24,-
900 fires, and compared with the O.
year average an increase of $4,000
fires, or nearly 100 per cent. In
acreage swept by the flames the 1924
figures are only slightly larger than
those for 1928, but are almost
double the acreage figures represent
ing the 9-year average.
Money damage in 1924, estimated
at $3S,000,0O0, is 10000, 600 above
the 1923 estimate, and $4,000, 900
higher than the 9-year average of
$40 600. Damage to young
growth, watershed protection, wild
life, and recreation, and losses to the
lumber industry, including wages and
other economic values, are not in
cluded.
William B. Greeley, Chief of the
Forest Service, states that the ma
terial increase in the number of for
est fires during 1924 is caused part
ly by the more complete reports re-
ceived. although 1924 was a very
bad fire year in many sections of
the country.
Excessively dry weather was eX-
perienced in California and in the
Gulf States" said Chief Forester
Greeley" and in these states the
1924 fire figures show great in
creases over the 9-year average. In
creases are also shown in most other
states, but not to the extent indi-
Gated by the records for California
and the Southern States.
'In part, at least, the larger num-
Der of fires during 1924 may be at
tributed to the better and more COM
plete reports received from all sour
ces by the Forest Service. But even
though this is true the calendar year
1924 will be remembered Jas one
of the worst forest fire seasons ever
experienced"
/. Although in the country at large
~incendiary fires top the list with
brush burning second and smokers
lllllu' INC lhNlti aus olahb5 at lllt
top of the list in the Rocky Mountain
District, including the Lake States
forests. with 49%, lightning is sec
ond with 24%, and campers third
21%. Other important causes are,
in order, railroads, miscellaneous,
brush burning, incendiary, lumber
ing. Because Of the unusually dry
season in 1924 in this District, light
ming is much higher in proportion
than other causes.
Lightning is considered the only
natural of forest fires, all
others being grouped under man
caused fires. Distinguished in this
way, "a per e n of all forest fires
in 1924 were m~an-caused, and only
$500 fires, or 6 per cent of the total
were started by lightning.
In calling attention to this part of
the report Chief Forester Greeley an
phatically states that the forest fire
problem in the United States de-
mands the earnest thought of every
citizen.
Il have said many times that the
man who starts a forest fire is an
enemy to his country" asserted Col
mel Greeley. 81 repeat that state
ment most emphatically. The 1924
record, which shows "a per cent of
all forest fires to be ~man-caused, is
a national scandal.
The greatest single agency with
which to combat forest fires is pub
lie opinion. No thoughtful citizen
can read the 1924 figures without
coming to the conclusion that the
fight against forest fires is his per-
sonal fight. The Federal and State
Governments are doing their utmost
with the funds and equipment allot-
ted to them. 1t is high time hat a
more effective WeanOn Is placed at