Newspapers / The Echo (Pisgah Forest, … / Nov. 1, 1953, edition 1 / Page 4
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On November 9 Pisgah National Forest Officials Tower rangers, in addition to carrying out their closed the area because of the extreme danger of regular duties as spotters of forest fires, prepare forest fires. On November 21, after the long their own meals. Here George Brown begins pre- sought-for rains came, was reopened again. paring his supper of eggs, potatoes and beans. mostly at night, Army Military Police calls can After the morning’s chores are done^ the watch be picked up. for forest fires begins. All day long and even up Even the weather sometimes helps keep the until as late as midnight, he is on the lookout for ranger’s tower life from being monotonous. Early the first signs of a fire in the forest. Every hour one morning this fall George found the tower al- he is on duty he must check in, either by radio or most completely coated with a thick layer of ice. by telephone, with the Pisgah District Ranger The stairsteps looked like a series of sliding Station. boards. One step couldn’t be distinguished from In spite of the exceptionaly dry period between the other, the ice was so thick. Needless to say, October 10 and November 20, forest fires in the it took quite a few hours of chopping with an Pisgah District have numbered only eight thus axe to clear the steps and the walkway around the far. And all eight, due to prompt spotting and top of the tower. quick action on the part of the rangers, destroyed George Brown’s day begins at 5:00 A. M. He less than 90 acres of timberland. gets up, cooks breakfast, washes the dishes, re- During, and for a few days following, a rain plenishes his water supply, and brings in the day’s sufficient to eliminate the fire danger, George and night’s firewood. He keeps a fire going in leaves the tower to return to Brevard and his the stove constantly, for during the winter months home. When the forest fire danger point is again at a mile-high altitude it’s always cold—and espe- reached, he will return to the tower on Frying Pan cially so at night. Very seldom does the tempera- Mountain, with a new supply of food, and begin ture fail to drop below the freezing point after another tour of firewatching. the sun goes down. (Continued on page 32)
The Echo (Pisgah Forest, N.C.)
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Nov. 1, 1953, edition 1
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