Methods op Fire Protection. 



415 



that oue cannot work before it. Attention should then be paid to the 

 iianks of the fire, and an attempt made to gradually reduce its width 

 down to a point where it may eventually be extinguished. 



^/^. o/: //r^ ^^ ^^^^^^c^^e^^. 



Fig. 1. — Indicating beaters moving in the direction of the wind along the 

 flanks of the fire. 



In the ease of a forest fire, if the fire has risen to the crowns, 

 this method is of no use, for a crown fire cannot be extinguished 

 directly. In sugar-cane fields and mealie lands the nature of the 

 crop is such that it is almost impossible to adopt this method of 

 attack, and the only practicable course is that of lighting a counter- 

 fire. Th^ counter-fire is started where an opportunity is offered by 

 lighting a continuous line of small fires across the front of the 

 oncoming fire. The small fires are made to travel towards the main 

 fire and checked from travelling in the opposite direction. Such 

 opportunities are offered by roads, streams, swamp areas, or pre- 

 viously constructed breaks or paths. 



The counter-fires, travelling against the wind, proceed slowly 

 at first and, in the case of forests, do little damage to trees, except 

 in young woods or plantations. As the counter-fires approach the 

 main fire, they are caught in the wind current and move more rapidly 

 until they unite with the main fire. This union causes both fires to 

 die out, as there is no longer any ground covering to feed the flames 

 in the crown's. Great care should be taken in making the counter- 

 fire. The distance at which it may be started from the oncoming 

 fire will depend on the nature of the crop and the strength of the 



