Forest Fare Control For Cafifornia

Presented ot the California Conservation Conference ot Asilomdr, Calif., October 18, 1940, by Wendell

Robie, Auburn Lumber Compony, Auburn, President, Placer County Forestry Association

Is it well understood today, that year after year California permits an annual loss of forest growth greater than our forests and woodlands produce each year? Do we see the changes which have occurred through the two generations of living since the discovery of gold in Northern California, when this region received the thousands who came in '49 with a wonderland of forests, verdure covered hills teeming with wild life, and full clear flowing streams native to trout and the runs of salmon and steelhead?

Why subtract great areas of green, and dllow the record of our management of this heritage to show blackened, parched and wasted regions growing in expanse year by year?

Yet that IS the record, and we permit it, and our Legislatures permit it, and our elected state administrations have permitted it. Meantime a deficiency of. 50/o continues in fire suppression facilities, from that deemed necessary by several Boards of Forestry for state protected lands. It is agreeable, therefore, to note the California Division of Forestry presenting a program in the State Fire Control Plan for the consideration of the public, which provides an investment of two million dollars to correct the situation; and stating exactly therein, item by item, and place by place, just what equipment and man power is required, where stationed, and the areas of hazard. to be protected by each unit. This program will provide a definite stand against the present annual blight of fire and destruction.

Useful utilization can go hand in hand with this preservation of our forest resources and watershed cover. Large lumbering operations of the present, strive for a sustained yield basis, and to leave their cut over lands in good condition for rapid reproduction. Good low cost lumber supplies contribute largely to healthful and happy living in California, yet our hope for the future in this great industry must constantly rest in larger measure in the protection of these young stands.

Fire and insect infestations, more than lumbering, are responsible for the constantly decreasing size of California forest areas. They are upsetting the balance of the factors estimated for sustained yield operations, and many mountain communities in California confidently resting in security engendered by an erroneous estimate of permanence in their sustained-yield lumbering operations, should rally to the support of action to secure the effective operation of the Fire Control Plan over the lands protected by the State.

There is more to be done before insect infestation can be controlled; but losses by fire can be largely controlled with the concentration of fire crews manning modern motorized fire fighting equipment throughout the areas of great hazards. This is a fact well known to California Foresters, and clearly proven in several areas where local county appropriations supplementing the State budget have permitted maintenance of adequate force.

Is there a single sound reason to be urged against this degree of protection? Expense has been offered by a Legislature to whom the plan was presented; and yet, the loss from only one single fire swept area not long ago, was greater than this entire cost would be over all state protected lands during an entire biennium.

There are a multiude of savings to be urged which loom vast in comparative value to cost. Fires while burning must be suppressed regardless of cost, and the cost is less, and the loss is less, when good equipment handled by trained men, is on the job for quick suppression within a small area. Otherwise heavy demands are made of State Emergency Funds for costs to put out big fires.

Watershed protection now is most important. It is the greatest hope to a future for California homes, farms and industries. Protection today is inadequate, and immediate correction is important and vital.

Recreational use of forested regions is growing by leaps and bounds. Intense public use multiplies the dangers of destruction. Added new equipment is immediately necessary, and it should be self evident to every thoughtful Californian that what sufficed a few years ago is inadequate to meet present conditions. Public interest requires a multiplication of present fire crew stations in such recreational areas, to meet all reasonable dangers to their preservation.

Forest and woodlands provide the cover necessary for the restoration of wild life for field and stream. The appropriation for this thorough fire control program is not a large investment to provide the sportsmen of California with better value for the important sum they annually pay the State or the privilege to fish and hunt.

In addition, the State Fire Control Plan will provide more adequate safety to rural farm areas under State protection, and annually reduce insurance costs and prevent much needless loss to the homes and improvements of 71,00Ct farmers and land owners.

Let us consider this situation of greatest importance at present. Should we find our nation anytime at war, the incendiary cards of just one enemy airplane over summer dry hills of California, when thick woods, brush and grass burn like tinder, could stare fires to destroy what two hundred years could not replace. Great fires and smoke, burned homes, mills, bridges, followed by denuded watersheds, silted reservoirs, penstocks, and idle powerhouses would be a serious blow to defense in California.

A complete fire control program is necessary now. For National Defense, it is required at once, in double measure.

The issue is with the people of California. On your action can depend the decision. Do you want black hills or green, boulder wastes or cool streams, living trees or dead monuments ?

The Four Horsemen ride throughout the world. The Red Raider can be stopped here. Let's support the banner of conservation carried today by California Foresters, in a counterattack to turn the tide of past years-to step again toward the beauty, the fertility, and the fullness of life and resource in forested watersheds like were ours two generations ago !

Fresno Lumber Firm Holds Meeting

A dinner and Fix-Tex sales promotion meeting attended by more than 60 general contractors, architects, engineers, builders and lumbermen, was held in the Fresno Hotel, Fresno, on the evening of October 17.

The host was Frank Minard, general manager of C. S. Pierce Lumber Co., Fresno, distributors for Fir-Tex in that territory.

A technicolor film showing the manufacture of this product was exhibited and talks were given by Mr. Minard and Ernest H. Bacon, manager of Fir-Tex of Northern California, San Francisco.

Robert L. Cramer, well known sound technician, gave a talk on sound transmission and acoustics. This was followed by general discussion and many questions were asked and answered.

Seth L. Butler of Dant & Russell, San Francisco, was present to greet the lumbermen who attended.

Sash - Doors Veneered

r Blinds Doors

652

C. I). Johnson lumber Corporation

Thir airplane view conveyl rome idea of the rizc ond e:tcnt of our plant-with the largest capacity, namely, 47 M pet hour, of any car-and-cargo mill in Oregon. Cargo and rail rhipmeno of Soft Old Growth Yellow Douglar Fir and Si*a Spruce. lTeekly railingr to California ports; packaged lunber stowed even lengths and widthc.