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Show FIRE Dixie Forest Hit By First Big Blaze OH948 Season ' Ranger Kenneth O. Bower of Cir. cleville, reports that already it has happened on the Johns Valley District Dis-trict of the Dixie National Forest. On Friday, May 7, a sawmill and 72 acres of timber and watershed lands went up in smoke in almost less tme than it takes to tell about it. This fire occurred in an area already al-ready badly gullied due to a com-blnatlon com-blnatlon of scant ground cover and steep topography in an area sore, ly in need of every particle of litter lit-ter and plant growth the area could support. The farmers below this burned area have sustained losses almost annually froni flood waters that come from this area. This fire will certainly add to the loss, the ranger said. The fire occurred because someone some-one "thought" his fire was out. Every Ev-ery year hundreds of fires destroy forests, watersheds, property and at times, life because someone "thinks " his fire Is out. We must realize that In a country facing a timber shortage, short-age, in a state where already an alarming percentage of our lands have been ruined by erosion, there can't be any "thinking" a potential forest fire is cut. There are a few simple rules to follow with respect to fires; strict adherante to these will cut down measurably on the number of fires that each year take such a great toll. 1. Select a safe spot for your fire. Then clear away all inflama- , ble material before building the ? fire. 2. Before leaving your fire soak it thoroughly with water until eve,ry spark is cold. Feel it with your hands, they will wash clean, but a blackened hillside won't. 3. If water Isn't available, bury your fire under at least a foot of mineral soli. 1 4. By all means, If you come upon a fire someone else has started, do what you can to put it out. If you are unable to do so, summon the nearest help you can 'and notify a Forest officer or the Sheriff. |
