Report of Committee on Forest Fires. 581 



While your Committee recommends the study of this report 

 in detail for its careful analysis of the causes of fires originating 

 from locomotives and for its valuable suggestions, it does not go 

 so far as to suggest the necessity of such radical change in fuel, 

 especially as it was declared by experts that safe coal-burning 

 locomotives can be constructed, although difficult to keep in safe 

 condition. Possibly, however, the use of oil-burning engines 

 might in the end prove as cheap, or cheaper, than other modes of 

 preventing fires from locomotives. No legal restriction in burn- 

 ing of right of way existing in Canada, it would appear that the 

 methods suggested by the railroads themselves, if properly carried 

 out, would answer. 



The improvement of locomotives to prevent sparks from stack 

 and ashpan escaping is fully discussed in the report by two loco- 

 motive experts, and it is stated that, without loss of draft, screens 

 can be used if properly constructed and placed, but that no abso- 

 lute safety may be expected except by unusual care in fitting 

 and keeping in order on the part of the round-house crew. It 

 would appear from discussion that the stereotyped prescription 

 of several Canadian laws as to the use of a certain mesh screen is 

 not justified, since other matters like the character of coal, the 

 position of exhaust nozzles, etc., must be related to the screen. 

 The necessity of frequent inspection of locomotives by an expert, 

 or at least a thoroughly instructed fire ranger not only as to 

 screens, but also as to ash boxes and other conditions was ac- 

 centuated by locomotive experts. The proper construction of 

 ash boxes is as important as the screens since it is declared that 

 50 per cent, of locomotive fires are due to the faulty construction 

 and use of these. Finally firemen and engineers must be willing 

 to use their tools properly and keep them effective. 



As to clearing the right of way, the evidence brought out that 

 fully 90 per cent, of fires start within fifty feet on each side of 

 the right of way ; hence, hardly any greater width need be cleared. 

 It is, in the opinion of your Committee, a mistake to clear a broad 

 fire strip along the right of way. Such a strip, even if cleared as 

 well as is practicable, is dangerous in two directions besides being 

 unnecessarily expensive ; it dries out under the influence of the 

 sun and wind and if between tall timber creates a draft which 

 will fan any incipient fire rapidly into action. Instead, a strip 

 of fifty feet outside the right of way and under forest shade from 

 which the easily inflammable material is removed would serve 

 a better purpose. This proposition advanced some years ago by 

 the Chairman of this Committee was generally accepted by the 

 experts as a most efficacious measure. The cost, it was estimated, 

 would be in the neighborhood of $250 per mile for the first clean- 

 ing. In Pennsylvania it has been done for $180 per mile. It is 

 open to question whether the cleaning of this part should not be 



