San Juan
National Forest
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FOREST FIRES

Many areas throughout the forest show scars of destructive forest fires that occurred before the forest was established. The most extensive of these old fires is the Lime Creek burn, the effects of which may be seen from U S 550, a few miles south of Silverton. The fire was so severe and of such size that the area is largely devoid of trees after the passage of more than 60 years. As funds become available it is being planted to restore the forest cover. The Colorado Federation of Women's Clubs contributed funds to plant 80 acres. The plantation, called the Colorado Federation Memorial Forest, was dedicated in August 1941.

Since the establishment of the San Juan National Forest, the area burned represents less than 1 percent of the total. This good record has been made possible through the prompt action of forest officers and cooperating fire wardens, and an enlightened citizenry which has responded to the Forest Service call for more care with fire in the woods.

Chimney Rock fire lookout tower: Chimney Rock on extreme right. F—412160

For better fire detection on the forest a new lookout station has been built near the historic Chimney Rock. Other lookout stations are planned for future construction at Baldy Mountain and Eight-Mile Mesa.

Since 1909 records have been kept on the forest, and during that 33-year period, 1,010 fires have burned over 6,286 acres of national-forest land. Improved methods of fire detection and suppression are shown in the record for the last 10 years, which shows that 322 fires burned 1,214 acres. The season of 1941 was exceptional, with a total of only 6 small fires and no measurable area burned. During the 10-year period, 102 fires were man-caused. Man-caused fires are in most cases caused by carelessness. A lighted match, cigarette, or cigar carelessly tossed aside, or a campfire left burning may result in a disastrous fire and the destruction of a forest of great value to the community and the Nation. People who use the national forests for business or recreation are urged to exercise the greatest care with fire, and observe the Fire Prevention Rules.

Vallecito guard station F—412164


FIRE PREVENTION RULES

1. Matches.—Be sure your match is out. Break it in two before you throw it away.

2. Smoking.—Be sure that pipe ashes and cigar or cigarette stubs are dead before throwing them away. Never throw them into brush, leaves, or needles. When in the woods, smoke only in places of habitation at improved campgrounds, or at carefully selected rest and camp sites—never while traveling.

3. Making camp.—Use fire grates at improved campgrounds and observe the rules for building and extinguishing fires. Before building a campfire at places where no grates are available, scrape away all inflammable material from a place about 4 feet in diameter. Keep your fires small. Never build it against trees or logs or near brush.

4. Breaking camp.—Never break camp until your fire is out, dead out. Stir the coals while soaking them with water, turn burned sticks and drench both sides. Wet the ground around the fire and be sure the last spark is dead.

5. Bonfires.—Never build bonfires or burn slash or brush in windy weather or while there is the slightest danger that the fire will get away.

Effects of the Sand Creek burn. F—178895


ADMINISTRATION OF THE FOREST

San Juan National Forest is divided into 6 ranger districts, each with a forest ranger in charge, working under the direction of the forest supervisor. These men are responsible for the administration necessary for the development of the forest and the protection and utilization of its resources. During the summer months they live in Government ranger stations situated in the forest near the towns listed below. Because of their numerous activities they are constantly moving about the district, and business engagements should be prearranged. All of them are glad to give the forest visitor any information needed about roads, camp sites, and other recreational matters.

The rangers' duties include the prevention and suppression of forest fires; the supervision of sale and free-use areas from which timber is being cut; the administration of ranges on which cattle and sheep are grazed; the construction and maintenance of administrative and recreation improvements, including ranger stations, roads, trails, and campgrounds; and other related activities.

Inquiries concerning the resources of the forest, places of interest, recreational attractions, or other information, should be directed as follows:

Forest Supervisor, San Juan National Forest, Durango, Colo.
Forest Ranger, Animas District, Durango, Colo.
Forest Ranger, Engineer District, Durango, Colo.
Forest Ranger, Pine District, Bayfield, Colo.
Forest Ranger, Piedra District, Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Forest Ranger, Treasure District, Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Forest Ranger, Blanco District, Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Forest ranger inspecting a fire-tool cache at Treasure Guard Station. F—414617

What to do When Lost

The Forest Service suggests the following simple and common sense rules to be remembered when lost in the woods:

1. Stop. Sit down and try to figure out where you are. Use your head and not your legs.

2. If caught by night, fog, or storm, stop at once and make camp in a sheltered place. Build a fire in a safe spot. Gather plenty of dry fuel as soon as possible after selecting a camping place.

3. Do not wander about. Travel only downhill.

4. If you are injured, choose a clear spot, on a promontory or hill if possible, and build a signal smoke.

5. Do not yell; do not run; do not worry; and above all do not quit.

6. The S O S call of the wilderness is three signals of any kind, either audible or visible—three whistles, three flashes from a light, etc. The answer to a distress signal is two audible or visible signals.


Forest Health Rules

1. Purification.—Mountain streams will not purify themselves in a few hundred feet. Boil or chlorinate all suspected water.

2. Garbage.—Burn all paper, old clothing, or rubbish. Bury or place in pits or receptacles provided, all garbage, tin cans, bottles, and other refuse.

3. Washing.—Do not wash soiled clothing or utensils or bathe in springs, streams, or lakes. Use a container and throw dirty water where it cannot get into the water supply without first filtering through the ground.

4. Sanitary precautions.—Use public toilets if they are available. Where not provided, bury 1 foot deep all human excrement, at least 200 feet from water.

5. Obey laws.—Observe the rules of sanitation and protect yourself and others. Report all insanitary conditions to the nearest health or forest officer.


NATIONAL FORESTS AND RELATED DATA
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Last Updated: 19-Nov-2010