The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-09-08
SLASH BURNING
RULES ISSUED
Director Foster of the Division
of Forestry Describes Slash
Disposal Policy.

An entire reversal OF SLASH disposal
on the part of loggers and timber
operators is now customary, according to
Ellery A. Foster, director of forestry
for the state of Minnesota.
The state laws provide that the state
forester shall direct the disposal of
slashings, debris and refuse from tim
Der operations wherever there is or may
be danger of starting and spreading
Of fires. The law further directs GER
tain measures to be followed when no
specific directions are given by the
state forester or district ranger.
1t is only few years ago, when it
was necessary to burn slash at the time
of cutting. Since that time it has been
found by forestry experts that this was
wrong and changes have been made to
assist nature in the perpetuation of
forests denuded
Experience in the administration of
this law indicates the desinbility of a
definite state wide policy as a means
of obtaining reasonable uniformity
where similar conditions exist in diff
ferent parts of the state, and to pro-
vide the timber operator with definite
advance information as to slash dis
posal requirements.
Experience has also indicated that,
while the general practice of burning
slash removes the hazard inherent in
the slash itself, it is not good pro-
tective measure from the standpoint of
perpetuating the forest. 1t often dam
ages the soil, kills young trees, and
destroys the tree seeds that remain in
the forest following logging.
In general, experience has shown that,
at least where partial or selective cut
ting is practiced, the removal or dis
posal of slash from protective strips
along roads, next to adjoining timber
land and lake shores, combined with
good looping and scattering of the re-
naming slash, is a more satisfactory
practice than complete removal or dis
poSal. In heavy slash Gas in clear
cutting operations), partial removal of
the slash appears more satisfactory,
from the standpoint of natural regrowth
of the forest, than complete disposal
Only in certain cases where all or
nearly all of the timber is cut, and ex-
IRENE hazards exist or where artifi-
cial reforeStation is planned, does COM
plete disposal appear necessary. If well
Topped and scattered so that it lies
flat most types of slaShing decay
rapidly. With good fire protection and
disposal of slashing on protective strips,
the practice of looping and scattering
creates little if any greater hazard to
adjoining property than does piling and
burning.
In view of this past experience, the
general slash policy for the State of
Minnesota, until further notice, will be
to remove or dispose of slash on pro-
tectiye strips only and to lop and
scatter the remaining slashings so that
they will lie flat, and thus decay rapid
ly. Protection strips will be of speci-
fed width and location, as directed by
law and by administrative policy and
by such specific directions as may be
issued by the forester or his designated
representative. Where excessive amounts
of slash Gas from clear cutting of
heavy stands or excessive hazards re-
quire, partial or complete disposal will
be directed.
Unless specific directions are given,
calling for a different procedure in
individual cases, slash will be removed
or piled into separate and compact
piles ready for disposal or removal along
protection strips as follows:
(a) Within 200 feet of any adjoin-
ing timber land, public highway, rail-
road, portage or lake shore this is re-
quired by law).
% In swamp areas on strips SO feet
wide along logging roads (25 feet on
each side of road.
Co In upland areas on strips 100
feet wide along logging roads $50 feet
on each side of the road. On state
timber sales on upland areas, additional
100 foot strips will be required between
logging roads as needed to break the
slash into blocks of Is to 20 acres.
All looping, scattering or piling of
slash will be done currently as cutting
proceeds.
Burning of slash may be done in the
winter season, currently as cutting pro-
ceeds, provided the ground is snow
covered and burning conditions are safe.
Burning at other seasons will be done
only at the direction of the forester
or his designated representative, at a
time specifically authorized by a burn
ing permit issued in accordance with
the state burning permit law.
Slash created in the cutting of
logging roads in swampS will be piled
at the time of cutting into separate and
compact piles(except that in winter
with snow on ground and conditions
safe, or if directed by the forester or
his designated representative, burning
may be done currently as roads are CUT
Specific directions for slash disposal,
varying from those of the general
policy, will be incorporated in slash dis
posal notices furnished to the individual
operator concerned.
The area supervisor or his designated
representative will be responsible for
slash disposal instructions, but on state
timber sales, the supervisor will consult
with the timber man in charge of the
sale before issuing any disposal notice.
Upon receipt of cutting reports in
supervisors offices, the general policy
will be to send an acknowledgement at
once to the operator, including state
ment of the general slash policy.
1t will be attempted to contact all
operators in advance of or at the be-