156 THE USE BOOK. 



attention to the mistake and instruct them courteously in the 

 proper way of building and handling fires. 



REG. 80. Lumbermen, settlers, miners, prospectors, and 

 other persons using the National Forests are cautioned 

 against making dangerous slashings, and must not fire 

 thejn_in very dry weajher. If it is necessary to Jhurj^ 

 slashings, ample notice must always be given the nearest 

 Forest officer before burning, so that he may take steps 

 to reduce the danger. If notice is not given, or if the 

 ranger's instructions are not followed, the person respon- 

 sible for the burning will be held strictly accountable for 

 all damage to the Forest, and will be liable, in aggravated 

 cases^^to^criminal prosecution. 



There is no desire to hamper the work of settlers 

 and lumbermen nor to limit the rights of property 

 holders, but it is not just that other forests and im- 

 provements, whether owned privately or by the Gov- 

 ernment, should be endangered by carelessness. 



The utmost tact and vigilance should be exercised where 

 settlers are accustomed to use fire in clearing land. Public 

 sentiment is rightly in sympathy^ with home builders, and the 

 control of their operations should give the least possible cause 

 for resentment and impaTIen^]with the Forest administration, 

 buTit sEouId be Exercised firmly, none the less. Settlers should 

 be shown the injury to their own interests, as well as to the 

 public, which results from forest fires. Methods and times of 

 burning should be discussed with them, and, if possible, an 

 amicable agreement secured to have no burning except when 

 authorized by the Forest officer and when he is present. But 

 while the aim should always be toward cooperation and good 

 will, it is equally important .to have it well understood that For- 

 est interests will be protected by every legal means. 



