Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-07-25
Asks Public
T0EXertEyerY
PreCauti0n
Campers and Smokers Had
Caused 43 Fires Up To
July 10.
TOTAL OF 86
IN DISTRICT ONE

With reports in from the "a na-
tional forests of District One cover
ing the year up to July 10, man ap-
pears to be running dead heat with
lightning for notoriety as a setter of
forest fires, according to statement
issued by L. G. Stockdale, acting dis
trlet forester, warning the public that
the forest fire situation has become 80
serious as to call for the utmost care
on the part of everyone travelling or
camping within the forests.
Lightning had, up to July 10.
started 86 fires which was exactly
equalled by the entire list of smokers,
campers and other agencies. For sew
eral years past lightning has won out
when the final tally was in, and It
promises to- do so again this year Is
the period Of probable thunder storms
is just commencing. In 1928 lightning
set 804 fires within or adjacent to
the national forests as against 339
resulting from all man causes.
The forest-using public" Mr..
Stockdale says, should take up the
challenge and enter the race with
lightning not for the dishonor Of set
ting more fires than lightning but
for the decided honor of setting few
er, and for the still greater honor
Of setting fewer fires this year than
in any previous year" Man has got
ten off to poor start but it is not
too late if extreme care is used to set
good record. Man-caused fires up
to July 10 last year. numbered only
b5 as against 86 this year. Under
these circumstances officials charged
with the responsibility Of suppressinR
fires may we'll question whether the
public is growing more careless in
stead Of more careful. Timely warn
Ing of the growing danger to life and
| property which caINlessness in the
use of matches, tobacco and camp-
/ fires involves as the season advances,
/ seems well warranted In view Of this
increase over last year in man-caused
fires.
Campers and smokers have so far
been the chief offenders, the reports
show, having started more than half
of all man-caused fires. Railroads are
| third, and persons engaged in burn
ing brush for land clearing are fourth
in the number Of fires started. Some
| of these fires occurred early when
the danger of spreading was slight,
but 48 man-caused fires occurred
within the Today period July to 10
when every fire was threatened con-
flagration.
Lookout peaks have been manned;
| and patrolmen, firemen or smokn-
chasers have been stationed through
out the forests to make possible not
only quick discovery and suppression
of fires but also to apprehend and
bring to justice those whose careless
ness is responsible for fires.
The national forests are now closed
to smoking or to campfires except
with permits, and If the situation con-
tinues to grow more serious because
Of weather conditions and human
carelessness, many Of the more dan
gerous areas will be closed to entry
entirely 1T is hoped that such a<-
tion may not become necessary" Mr..
Stockdale adds, ''but public property
must be given the greatest possible
measure of protection and If man.
caused fires continue to increase,
dangerous areas will be closed"