Woodland fires in Illinois always present a serious problem to the
future growth and quality of our forests. Thousands of dollars worth of
damage is done annually to our existing woodlands by fires which not
only destroy our merchantable timber but also cause severe mortality to
young forest seedlings. Fires seriously affect the soil, destroy
wildlife and disrupt the entire biological balance of the forest. Every
effort should be made, therefore, to prevent woods fires.
In 1938 the State Division of Forestry inaugurated a program in forest
fire protection. Since that time ten fire protection districts and a
forest fire protection headquarters have been established in southern
Illinois. Fire fighting personnel has been hired, radio communication
established, and ten State forest fire towers have been erected. Fire
protection has been established on all State forests. Necessary tools
and equipment for use by both forestry personnel and volunteer groups
have been purchased. As a result, 3,674,000 acres of State and private
land are now receiving fire protection. This program will be enlarged as
funds permit until all woodland acreage in need of protection will
receive necessary fire protection.
Our forest resources are a valuable asset to Illinois and one of the
most valuable renewable resources that we have. They can only be so,
however, if adequate forest fire protection is afforded them.