What is a Forest Fire Hazard?

It has long been recognized by scientifically minded practitioners that the vocabulary of forestry, though rich and broad, is frequently inexact. This inadequacy is reflected in its literature, wherein many an author makes shift with weak terms of vague meaning because words of definite connotation are lacking. Forestry as a profession in America is too young to have attained a stage of technical rigidity in its vocabulary, but the need for greater precision is evident. The author scrutinizes the vocabulary of forest fire prevention and control, and finds it of questionable value. He presents a logical argument for greater clarity of expression, and suggests new terms to obtain clear statements of fact.