652 PROTECTION AGAINST FOREST FIRES. 



degrees to the wind direction, as it is easier to burn them, and 

 they afford a broader barrier to a fire coming from the west 

 than if they were simply at right angles to the direction of 

 the wind. 



Besides roads and rides, watercourses often form effective 

 fire-traces when the undergrowth is cleared away and burned 

 on only one side of |the watercourse at a time, but crossing 

 the watercourse at its bends, so as to form a uniformly broad 

 trace. 



h. Size of Working Sections. 



Where forest fires are to be feared, the working-sections 

 should be comparatively small, so that there may not be 

 extensive tracts of young woods, in which the danger from fire 

 is greatest over large areas. 



*. Clearance of Felling-Areas. 



The felling-areas should be rapidly cleared of all refuse, and 

 the produce of the thinnings also removed quickly, especially 

 in the case of faggots from coniferous trees. 



When workmen sleep on the felling-areas, great care must 

 be taken as regards smoking, and fires should be allowed only 

 inside their huts, which should be surrounded by broad fire- 

 traces, as the wind might otherwise blow sparks into the forest. 

 In parts of Northern India, during the hot dry months of May 

 and June, it has been customary to suspend all timber works 

 owing to the risk of fire from the woodmen and carters, but 

 these men can easily be taught to guard the forest from fire, 

 and it is doubtful whether this restriction is necessary. 



j. Other Measures of Protection. 



Regulations restricting fires and smoking in forests in dry 

 seasons, and also regarding the use of fire-arms, should be 

 made by the State. The most complete State-regulations 

 regarding forest fires are those enacted in 1893 by the French 

 Legislature. Somewhat similar rules are enforced in British 

 India, except as regards railways, but they apply only to certain 

 State forests. The private forest-manager must see that all 

 State regulations regarding forest fires are observed, and should 



