The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1938-10-13
Burned Lover
Acreage Much
Less In 1888
Good Record Is Result of
Many Factors - Best
Since 1912.
REGIONAL FORESTER
APPEALS TO PUBLIC

MISSOULA, Oct. 8.-Announcing
the acreage of burned-over land in
the II national forests of this re-
gion to be less this summer than In
any year since 1912, Regional For
ester Evan w. Kelley today attrih-
uted the exceptional record, chiefly,
to an improved fire-control road
system, better methods of fire-dan-
ger forecasting, reasonably favor
able weather conditions, and awak-
ening public interest in preventing
fires from starting.
All but % of a total of 1,408 fires
reported this summer were held to
an acre of less than ten acres III
size. A tremendous majority of
$40 fires were extinguished before
attaining proportions of more than
one-fourth acre in extent.
In view of the fact that by far
the greatest number of fires &C.
CURED in forests of the northwest
ern part of the region where fire
fuels are heaviest and below normal
rain was received" the regional for
ester said, there is substantial evil
dence to prove the expenditures, for
improved fire-control facilities are
beginning to pay dividends"
TWenty-slx years ago, when the
best record in national forest his
tory was made, heavy rains fell over
the whole northern Rocky Noun
tain area-spring. summer, and fall.
Only 262 fires were reported dur
ing the season, with total burned
area of 2,665 acres. This year, while
normal and above-normal rains
helped keep the fire danger down
in certain of the southern and east
ern forests, the northwestern part
of the region remained abnormally
hot and dry for long periods. De
spite the 1,408 fires which occurred,
the area burned was nonetheless
held to but 2,672 acres.
AS compared TO 336 man-caused
fires last year. this years total of
preyentable fires was lowered to
297. This decrease. although rela-
lively slight. is held to be an en-
couraging indication that forest
users are becoming more fire-con-
scious each year and also better in
formed as to how to prevent fires
from starting With continued pub
lie interest and cooperation it is be-
lieved that an additional saving in
the number of man-caused fires can
be effected next year.
Of those responsible for man
caused fires smokers were as usual
4 the worst Notwithstanding for
152 of the total 297 man-caused con-
/ flagrations. Careless campers start
ed 40 fires; 81 originated along rail-
road rights-of way; numbering OPP
erations were responsible for IL
debris burners accounted for Is, in
cendiaries set five, and 27 fires were
ascribed to miscellaneous list OF
man causes.
BY far the largest number of fires
LII of the total l,408 - were
started by lightning The Kaniksu
forest, which reported almost twice
as many fires as any other forest
in the region, received 100 lightning
fires from one electrical storm.
Although the season for lightning
storms is now past and rains falling
since the first of October have mate
rally reduced the fire danger all
over the region, hunters, debris
burners, and other forest users are
urged to maintain care with cigar
cites, matches, campfires and brush
fires until snow flies. In the north
western part of the region The
month of September just passed was
the hottest ever recorded, and the
danger of fires starting is still
present.