National Forests in Michigan

NATIONAL FOREST ORGANIZATION

Each national forest is divided into ranger districts, with each district having facilities for storage of equipment and supplies, and the housing of rangers, lookouts, and fireguards. The forest ranger is responsible to the forest supervisor, who manages his forest according to the policies of the region.

There are 10 Forest Service regions in the United States and Alaska, each under the direction of a regional forester. The national forests in Michigan are in Region 9, with headquarters at Milwaukee, Wis. The chief forester's office is in Washington, D. C., and is under the direction of the Department of Agriculture.

Each district ranger has the job of making the resources of his district render the greatest possible service to county, State, and Nation. He supervises forest-fire-prevention work and fire suppression, directs the planting program, buys land to be added to the forest, and exchanges land with the State department of conservation. The sale of timber, the improvement of timber stands, the provision and care of wildlife cover, and the construction of recreational sites and the supervision of their use—all fall within the ranger's job and jurisdiction.

No one knows more about the forest than the year-round resident ranger. No one is more eager to help the visitor enjoy to the utmost his stay on the national forest.

PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE

The forest needs protection from fire, for fire takes its toll in the destruction of wildlife, game cover, scenery, and recreation, soil fertility, and the future wood supply. Fires along stream banks and watersheds injure fishing by destroying the cover which keeps the streams cool and clear. Ungainly snags, blackened stumps, and barren wastes give testimony to the horrible effect of fire upon forest cover.

Fire lookout towers and many miles of telephone lines and roads have been constructed to aid in the war against fire. The Forest Service has a well-trained, well-equipped army which battles forest fires efficiently but cannot battle the human carelessness that is responsible for most of the blazes occurring on the national forests of Michigan.

Smokers, campers, and brush burners are responsible for most of the fires in Michigan forests, and they could prevent them by following these simple rules:

SMOKERS.—Be sure your match is out. Break it in two before throwing it away. Better still, stick it in the ground. Bury pipe heels and butts in the moist ground. When driving, use your ash tray.

CAMPERS.—Use campgrounds and fireplaces. If in an isolated area, clear a space down to bare soil for your fire. Burn inflammable litter when breaking camp. Be sure your fire is out. Soak and stir it until it stops steaming.

BRUSH BURNERS.—Secure a burning permit from a forest officer. Burn only in calm weather when the ground is damp or snow-covered.

When you travel in a national forest, you are viewing and enjoying your own property. When it is destroyed by fire it is your loss, and your money must be spent to suppress such fires. If you see or smell smoke, do not think someone else has reported it and relieved you of the responsibility. Stop at the nearest telephone and report it to the nearest forest officer. A few minutes of your time can save many dollars and much damage.

CARELESSNESS CAUSES MOST AREAS LIKE THIS: BEING CAREFUL WITH FIRE WILL PREVENT THEM F—187626

The eyes of the forest are its lookout towers. From these during periods of high hazard men watch from dawn to dusk for the smoke signals that tell of another camper who failed to extinguish his fire, or another motorist who flicked his still burning cigarette into a pile of brush. Along road and trail the fire fighters hurry, in trucks where possible, on foot where necessary, to save Uncle Sam's timber from the thoughtlessness of some of his citizens.

Today many people climb the fire towers to look at their forests. Standing there, 80 to 100 feet above the ground, with a view of 8 to 10 miles in each direction, they feel an inescapable thrill of pride and possession in the woodlands preserved and created for America and Americans. They pledge their support to the cause of conservation and fire prevention.