Report of Committee on Forest Fires. 583 



pany is endorsed by this committee. It should, however, be 

 pointed out that the existing legislation which limits liability for 

 damage on the part of the railway company to $5,000, unless neg- 

 lect is proved by the damaged party, may work hardship. 



Your Committee would suggest that besides penalties provided 

 against neglect by the employees the co-operation of these men 

 could undoubtedly be secured by proper education and premiums 

 for immunity from fire damage. 



In justice to the railway companies it should be stated that of 

 late they have waked up to their responsibility and are attempt- 

 ing to improve fire protection, as may appear from the following 

 extracts of the instructions issued last summer by one of them 

 to their employees, which will at the same time show some of 

 the practical needs of preventive measures. 



"Ash pans must be equipped with nettings. Nettings and plates 

 in front end must be examined throughout the entire year at 

 intervals not exceeding one week. Engines must not be allowed 

 to leave terminal unless nettings and plates are in proper condi- 

 tion. Ash pans and dampers must be examined throughout the 

 entire year on every engine entering their home. . . .or on branch 

 lines or work train service on every trip. Men appointed to make 



inspection of nettings and dampers must sign for each engine 



inspected. This form to be initiated by locomotive foremen to 

 prove that they have supervised the work." 



D. Legislation Regarding Settlers. 



The case with the settler is comparatively simple, since he is 

 definitely located, although carelessness in handling fires when 

 burning brush and clearing has been the cause of many most 

 destructive fires. Here, an educational campaign ought to do 

 much. The province of Quebec is to be congratulated in having 

 the assistance of the clergy in this campaign of education, the 

 bishops authorizing the reading of letters of caution from the 

 pulpits. 



AH laws contain sections prescribing a closed season when 

 fires may not be set. Such close seasons are at present given in 

 the laws by definite dates. This is not good practice as the danger 

 ceases or commences within the same province at different dates 

 and in the different years also, which can be however, more or less 

 predetermined. Discretion on the part of the Forest Fire Service 

 in fixing these dates variably is desirable. Some (Nova Scotia, 

 Manitoba and British Columbia) but not all require that a per- 

 mit to set fires at other times be obtained from an officer in 

 charge, and some require that notice of the intention to burn 

 brush be given to neighbors to keep them on the alert or posted at 

 the nearest schoolhouse seven days beforehand. Both these latter 

 requirements seem desirable. The only objection appears to be 



