New improvements are being constructed in the never-ending fight to prevent or quickly control forest fires. Equipment, such as the Bosworth fire trencher, is being developed. This is a small machine which is guided by an operator and motored by a marine engine. The motor propels a series of steel lugs which kick out dirt and debris and speedily clear a fire trail down to mineral soil. Fire towers, which will make visible a large part of the forest, are in process of construction or are contemplated. In addition to the new tower on Clayton Mountain, another is being erected on Windy Mountain, located about 6 miles south of the Crandall Ranger Station. This will make visible a large portion of this immense country in the North Absaroka wilderness, including the area burned in the Crandall Creek fire of 1935.
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High ranges produce fat lambs.
Another tower on Clay Butte, near Beartooth Lake, will provide better protection for the scenic Beartooth Plateau and the Clarks Fork Valley.
When a smoke is spotted, the lookout observer determines the bearing to the fire and phones this information to a ranger or the forest supervisor so that action may be taken. If the lookout is uncertain of the stream valley or other topographical feature by which the fire can be located and best reached, a cross shot is obtained from another lookout station, if possible. In case of a large fire, an airplane cruise is sometimes made to observe the progress of the fire and determine the best way of controlling it.
RETURNS TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Twenty-five percent of all revenues derived from permitted uses on national forests is returned to the counties for road and school funds. In addition, 10 percent of the forest receipts is returned to the forest for the construction and maintenance of its road and trail system. Actually 35 percent of the gross forest receipts is returned directly and indirectly to the locality from whence it was collected.
TREES OF THE SHOSHONE
PINES.—Pines are conifers distinguished principally by the needles that are gathered together at the base in bundles of from one to five in a little sheath that usually wears off after the first year. The cones have woody scales. There are three pines on the Shoshone.
Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis).—Needles are fine, almost silky, dark green, 1½ to 3 inches long, always in bundles of five. Cones are 3 to 5 inches long, with seeds ⅓ inch long; scales smooth. Bark is light gray or silvery white, except on old trunks, which are blackish brown and furrowed.