The Coconino sun., 1927-10-21
FIRE GREATEST ENEMY
TO REFORESTATION

! Washington. II With forest fires
taking an annual toll of more than
| twenty million dollars damage to tim
Der and young growth in the wooded
areas of the United States, the prob
lem Of keeping the "red menace" out
of the woods deserves a considerable
part Of the attention being given to
Fire Prevention Week, now being OBJ
served, Col. William B. Greeley, chief
of the forest service, United States
department Of agriculture, said here.
+ Direct damage caused by forest
fires reported during 1926 amounted
to approximately $26,000,000, ac-
cording to latest compilations by the
forest service. This was exclusive Of
damage to watersheds, stream flow,
grass lands, and recreational facili-
ties, the money value Of which cannot
he estimated This immense loss was
the result of more than 10000 fires,
which burned over approximately
"a 100000 acres of lands in the coun-
try More than 72 per cent of last
years forest fires We're man-caused.
Special attention should be devoted
to the prevention Of fires in rural dis
tricts and in our forests said Presi-
dent Coolidge, in proclaiming the week
of October to Is as National Fire
Prevention Week Because of their
limited facilities they are often at the
mercy Of the flames when fire orig
mates
That the rural districts are heavy
suffers from forest fire is indicated by
the fact that the southern and lower
Mississippi Valley states, where much
Of the timber is on farm lands, had
the record last year for the largest
number of woods fires The south is
just now entering on the dangerous
fall forest fire season, and it is urged
by the forest service that every effort
be made to keep down this years dam
age.
Fire is the greatest enemy to re-
forestation, according to Chief For
ester Greeley When the woods burn,
in addition to the damage done by !
killing or weakening the larger trees, /
valuable young growth is destroyed |
and the natural reproduction of trees |
is prevented Repeated fires will de-
stroy the fertile top-soil of forested
area, and prevent re-seeding of cut |
over lands which could otherwise be
maintained in productive state by /
judicious cutting
Fire Prevention Week is considered /
an appropriate time to call to the at
tention Of the public again the famous
six rules of the forest service for the |
Of fire in the woods. These |
are
/. Matches-Be sure your match |
is out Break it in two before you
throw it away.
2. Tobacco. Be sure that pipe 7
ashes and cigar or cigarette stubs are
dead before throwing them away.
Never throw them into brush, leaves
or needles.
g. Making Camp Before building
a fire scrape away all inflammable .
material from a spot five feet in di-
ameter. Dig a hole in the center and I
in it build your camp fire. Keep your
fire small. Never build it against I
logs or near brush.
a. Breaking Camp-Never break I
camp until your fire is out-dead out.
5. Brush Burning Never burn
trash or brush in windy weather or
while there is the slightest danger
that the fire will get away.
g. How To Put Out a Camp Fire
Stir the Goals while soaking them with
water. Turn small sticks and drench
both sides. Wet the ground around
the fire IF you can't get water stir
in dirt and tread it down until it is
packed tight over and around the fire. +
Do e,,ro +Lo 1ac+ cnarIy ie doaI