Los Banos Rotary Club History
Phibbs Explains Work Of State Forestry Service

George Phibbs, state ranger in charge of the Merced-Madera division of the State Division of Forestry, Tuesday noon told members of the local Rotary Club something of the various functions and obligations of the Division, and specifically of the service being supplied to this immediate area through the fire suppression stations at Los Banos and Gustine.

Phibbs explained the Division of Forestry is a unit of the State Department of Natural Resources, created a number of years ago at the request of the state's private owners of forest and grazing lands to develop and conserve these rich natural resources, to encourage conservation, forester sustained yield management programs on both grazing and forest lands, and aid in the fight against insects and forage diseases.

The Division of Forestry was later assigned the job of furnishing fire protection to these same lands, and it is in the latter capacity that the Division is best known in the immediate area.

The Los Banos unit of the Division was created in 1943, primarily to provide fire protection to private lands lying above the agricultural belt. At the present time the Division maintains an eight man crew here, with two fire trucks, bulldozer unit and other equipment. They also maintain the lookout station on Basalt mountain—one of many scattered throughout the state at advantageous points overlooking the grazing and forest areas. The entire division is a highly mobile, fast stricking organization that functions not only within its own prescribed territories but works closely with federal and county fire forces in the combat of fire wherever it strikes. In addition the Division maintains a continuous program of fire prevention and education, a result of which is seen here in Los Banos, where every year the losses from grain and grass fire is becoming less and less—due in large measure to the educational and preventative program.

On conclusion of the talk, Phibbs showed an exceptionally interesting colored film of deer in their native habitat.

August 27, 1954

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