Seward daily gateway., 1930-03-24
SMALL FOREST FIRE LOSS LAST SEASON
 DUE. COOPERATION
PORTABLE TELEPHONES IN CONSTANT CONTACT HEAD
 QUARTERS, FOUR PUMPS

EQT the COflSLTuCGlOu OI the 10 miles of trails within this area of the Chugach National Forest, as was outlined in Saturdays issue by w. M. Sherman, forest ranger, a crew of Is men will be employed as well as the regular forest fire patrol One of the latter will be stationed along the Alaska Railroad between Anchor age and Seward, with headquar- terS at Lawing, another at Gird- wood. one at Hope, patroling the road there, and one on the Moose Pass highway.
 These four are trained men for each year, as will also be done this spring, prior to the seasons activities, a two or three weeks course in forest fire fighting and patrol work will be given at the Lawing ranger station. In addi- tion to these men the Alaska Railroad cooperateS with every means at hand in the suppress sion of fires along the right of way
 In Constant Touch
 Referring back to the men employed by the forestry depart ment, Ranger Sherman stated he always selected local men in so far as he could; that is to say, he will employ from Seward as many men as lie can and the same holds true at Anchorage, or at the various points iii or near tho forest where work is to be carried forward There is one warden stationed permanently at the Lawing station who, through potable telephones, is constantly in direct touch with every mem ber of the patrol; this organiza - ton is likewise tied in with Ranger Sherman. regardless of where his duties may have called him, So that a constant contact for the protection of the forest from fife is thus afforded
 Ample Eea -pnent
 Tha guard at CiTdHa1d has \ apce5er at his disposal 1oT crats- ing up and down tha track as well IS . portable pump and oth- cr equipment. These pumps are little marvels in themselves; the department has four of them each weighing but 70 pounds, and may be carried easily On ones back. These bumpers, the Pacific Ross pump gas engine, are designed and built especially for forest fire protection and function very efficiently. Each can throw a one and one-half inch stream at the end of a 1,000-foot hose, with a 90-pound pressure, sufficient to root out moss, etc. In addition to this equipment the department has hundreds of shoyels, axes, mat tocks, saws, etc.
 A record in fire suppression was made last year in this area; this was possible, Ranger Sher- man said, on account of three things, the growing realization of the public for the need of their cooperation, with respect to throwing away matches in the forest, putting out their camp fires, etc; the assistance given to the department by the Alaska Railroad, and because of the de- partment's own ceaseless vigil. Less than Is acres were burned over last year, the actual loss being approximated at about $10O. The public is again asked to give the same cooperation this wear for the dangerous season will soon be here, dating from about May 1 to August l.
 In tomorrow's issue the final article of Ranger Sherman's in terview will appear and will be devoted to policy matters, com- parison of Alaska timber with that grown in the states, etc.