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Show THOUGHTLESSNESS CAUSES LOSS OF MANY MILLION The recent forest fires in Idaho in which two whole towns were destroyed, des-troyed, brings to mind the necessity of care with fire while in our forest9. Ranger McDonald gives some pertinent per-tinent facts that are well worth remembering. re-membering. He says: It's camping season and you are welcome to enjoy the torestB: But remember, there are few flsh in a stream that has had its watershed water-shed burned over. Also floods are frequent and dangerous. One may occur in an hours time, and wash you and your camp away. Futhermore, brush and scrubby growth usually take the place of trees on burned areas. This form of vegetation has little scenic attraction attrac-tion and produces scant shade. The soil required for good grass growth, washes away easily. The bare rock makes a hard seat and harder bed. You won't see many wild animals, because they prefer the heavier timber tim-ber and shade. You may say, well this doesn't fit me. I never will cause a fire. I am always very careful. Don't be too certain about this. Already this year. In Idaho, Utah, and parts of Arizona, Wyoming and Nevada, there have occurred 692 recorded re-corded fires on the Forests, 70 thousand thou-sand acres have burned and $156,-000 $156,-000 have been spent to stop the fires. Man has caused 406 of Jhese fires. How? By leaving camp fires burning, even for an hour or less, while he went fishing, or moved camp. An actual case has occurred on a Forest, of a man and wife leaving camp for the day, after throwing a pail of water on their tflre. They didn't turn the sticks over to besure all fire was out. When they returned return-ed they found a dozen men putting out a large (ire where their camp bad been. Results: $2,000 car burned up. S500 camp outfit gone, along with $100 in caHh left In car. 10 acres of fire and a large damage bill. A camp fire built against a log, rolted or otherwise, may smoulder for days, and finally break out Into flame. One built In or near deep duff, pine needles, etc. may also cause a smouldering fire difficult to extinguish. A fire started In or near dry grass or leaves in dry weather, may start a fire, even tho the camper is present, pre-sent, which he will have difficulty In extinguishing, especially if a wind Is blowing. Cigarettes hold lire a long time. If a lighted one be dropped in duff or leaves, or old rotted material, It Is almost certain to tsart a fire, which may grow large enough to burn off a watershed. Don't take chances. Smokers, get the habit, pinch the snipe out, or scrape a place bare of influtnable material, and mash the snipe Into the ground with your feet. |