THE USE BOOK. 155 



REG. 79. Camp fires must not be larger than necessary; 

 must not be built in leaves, rotten wood, or other places 

 where they are likely to spread, or against large or hol- 

 low logs, where it is difficult to be sure when they are 

 completely out. In windy weather and in dangerous 

 places camp fires must be confined to holes, or all vegetable 

 matter must be cleared from the ground around them. A 

 fire must never be left, even for a short absence, before it 

 is completely extinguished. 



Officers of the Forest SerYJge, especially rangers, have no 

 duty more important than protecting the Forests from fires^. 

 T>uring dry and dangerous periods this work should be given 

 first place. Methods and equipment for fighting lire should be 

 brought to the highest efficiency. 



A ranger should never start on fire-patrol duty without an ax_ 

 or a shovel, or both, and in case he sights a smoke on his dis- 

 trict, or near to Tt, he must absolutely assure himself of its 

 cause. Boxes containing fire-fighting tools should be placed at^ 

 convenient j)oinis throughout the Forest. 



The Forests must be thoroughly posted, with fire notices. The 

 fact that some of them are destroyed is no excuse for neglect- 

 ing this important duty, often the notices can be posted on or 

 near signboards along trails, or notices of Forest boundaries, 

 limits of districts, or excluded areas in grazing ranges, etc. The 

 destruction of these notices is willful trespass, punishable by 

 law. If destroyed, they should be replaced as soon as their loss 

 is discovered. The notices should be posted on private lands 

 near the Forests whenever permission from the owner can bo 

 secured. 



Forest officers should cheerfully and politely tell hunters, 

 campers, and others about the rules and regulations governing 

 camp fires. An officer who Joses his temper or uses improper 

 language in talkingj^rth_^]jersons who are careless becausejhey 

 do not know about the rules, or have no experience in camp- 

 ing, tails iiTone of his principal duties. He should call their 



