In Southern California foothills, an increasing population placed people and property in danger from fire and subsequent flooding. A rising cry of protest was beginning from the towns and cities which was echoed in the newspapers. The United States Geographical Survey (USGS) reports, dated 1899 and 1900, showed large areas of chaparral had been repeatedly burned and severe damage to soil and water holding capacity had resulted. Another report, this one from the US Bureau of Forestry (now US Forest Service) found poor conditions on the Tujunga, Arroyo Seco, and the Santa Ana watersheds.