The total annual loss from forest fires in the Federal forests varies from a few hundred thousands of dollars in favorable years to several million in particularly bad fire seasons.

During the last few years, due to efficient fire-fighting methods, the annual losses have been steadily reduced.
The best way of fighting forest fires is to prevent them.

The forest officers do their best to reduce the chances for fire outbreak in the Government woodlands.

They give away much dead timber that either has fallen or still is standing.

Lumbermen who hold contracts to cut timber in the National Forest are required to pile and burn all the slashings.