The area now within the Montezuma National Forest suffered repeatedly
from fires before the forest was established. Since being put under
administration, the fire loss has been reduced. Nevertheless, the loss
has been considerable—4,037 acres of timber, grass, and brushland within
the forest having been burned over in 28 years, or an average of about
144 acres annually. Seventy-nine percent of this was burned in 6 bad
fire years. In 6 favorable years, the loss was less than 1 acre
annually. Without prompt action of local citizens and forest officers,
however, the average burned and the damage sustained would
unquestionably have been very much greater.
[Illustration: F-376870
HAULING LOGS FROM THE NATIONAL FOREST]
Fire is the most destructive enemy of the forests. A lighted match,
cigarette, or cigar carelessly tossed aside, or a campfire left burning
may result in a disastrous forest fire and the destruction of valuable
forest cover.
About 51 percent of the fires that occur in the Rocky Mountain Region
are man-caused and are preventable. Visitors to the forests are urged to
exercise the greatest care with fire, and to follow carefully the SIX
RULES FOR PREVENTION OF FOREST FIRES printed elsewhere in this folder.