ulti-use Fire Trails

ometime ago Baron Von Lodge was the head of a small country near Switzerland known as Lilliland.

Lilliland was known throughout Europe as a fine place for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer time. The Baron did everything to protect the forest from fires and avalanches. The way that the Baron hoped to achieve this goal of ensuring that the summer and winter sporting seasons were successful was to protect the forest from any natural disasters.

Fire trails were kept as wide as possible to block any fires from leaping over the trails. The fire trail was cut in a swerved fashion similar to a ski trail.

Man-made streams ran along the fire trail to keep the trail even safer. Some of the streams running from the mountaintop had a fresh supply of fish added from fresh water fishing in some of the artificial lakes that the streams emptied into. Part of the revenue used to maintain Lilliland came from tourism money. Everything was used to protect the tourist dollar.

It seemed that every year the forests are challenged by fire caused by a lightening strike or careless camper and the fire trails are put into use. The readily availability of the streams provided ample water to help put out the fire.

The rich forest helped prevent an avalanche from giving the skiers serious concern.

Three ski trails were always maintained; one for the beginner, another for the average skier and a third for the professional skier. Skiers were encouraged to use the trail that best reflected their ability to ski safely.

In addition, there were quite a few fire watchtowers manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Catching a fire in the first few minutes could make all the difference in the world in putting a fire out quickly.

The ski patrol had several first aid stations readily at hand. They also had quick and efficient ways to move an injured skier down the mountain and to the local hospital.

The Baron and his chief advisor, Professor Hamblin, were dedicated to the protection of tourists, whether they were there for hiking or skiing, and to give them an enjoyable, worry-free vacation. The Baron reminded everyone to be safe rather than sorry.

The policy of practicing safety first paid off many times.