76 Forestry Quarterly 



"An owner of wooded or forested land (which has not been brushed out) or 

 of land covered with dead wood, can be forced by the owner of a similar adjoin- 

 ing property, to construct and maintain, on his side, on the boimdaries between 

 the two estates a (fire) line cleared of all brush, and of all coniferous wood, and 

 to keep it thoroughly cleared of brush. This (fire) line, whose width may vary 

 from 10 to 100 yards shall be constructed half on each side of the adjoining 

 boundaries, by agreement between the interested parties, and in case of 

 disagreement, by the Prefect, the Conservator of the Waters and Forests acting 

 for him. Actions concerning the construction and the maintenance of such 

 protective lines shall take place, be put in practice, and judgment delivered 

 in the same manner as in the case of boundaries." 



The setting of fires is only allowed after authorization by a 

 forest officer and "if it is a question of ground situated less than 

 200 yards from the woods or forests during the period from Novem- 

 ber 1 until June 30 and less than 500 yards between July 1 and 

 October 31," bvirning cannot be allowed. Moreover, if, in spite 

 of the precautions cited in Article 124, fire extends to neighboring 

 properties, the originator of the fire is liable for all damages. A 

 violation of this rule makes the violators liable to imprisonment 

 from one to five years. 



In order to secure fire fighters from the native population, con- 

 scription is allowed during the most dangerous season, July 1 to 

 November 1. "This watch duty shall be obligatory for the right 

 holders and, if they are insufficient, for all able-bodied men 

 residing in the commune or section of the bordering forest. They 

 shall not, necessarily, be paid." During this danger season, the 

 Governor-General can detach troops commanded by officers and 

 subalterns to cooperate with forest officers in fire protection, and 

 by Article 129: 



"Any European or native requested to help in putting out a fire, who has 

 refused his services without legitimate reasons shall be liable to the penalties 

 carried by Article 136." 



Article 136 provides for a fine of $4 to $100 and imprisonment 

 from 6 days to 6 months. Right holders are punished by suspen- 

 sion of their rights for from 3 months to 5 years. Moreover, when 

 it appears that fires are set maHciously and simultaneously in a 

 number of places by preconsidered action on the part of the na- 

 tives, this infringement of forest law may be treated as an act of 

 rebellion and can lead to sequestration, in accordance with the 

 royal decree of October 13, 1845. All grazing permittees are for- 

 bidden to use burned-over land for grazing pvu-poses for a period 

 of at least six years. In private woods, however, this can be 

 waived by the Governor-General at the request of the owner, 

 after consultation with the Forest Service. 



