PROJECTS 613 



PROJECT XXXVII. How Boy Scouts and Other Campers May 

 Prevent Forest Fires, Forestry Rules, pages 339-346 



Every camper should obtain a copy of the laws of his state re- 

 garding the conservation of forests. If a legal permit to build 

 a fire in forests is required of all campers, such a permit should be 

 secured by all means. The following is a copy of the notice posted 

 in forests by the United States Department of Agriculture. It 

 directs attention to United States laws on this subject, and gives 

 a few suggestions that should be heeded carefully. 



Forest Fires 



The great annual destruction of forests by fire is an injury 

 to all persons and industries. The welfare of every community 

 is dependent upon a cheap and plentiful supply of timber, and 

 a forest cover is the most effective means of preventing floods 

 and maintaining a regular flow of streams used for irrigation 

 and other useful purposes. 



To prevent forest fires Congress passed the law approved - 

 May 5, 1900, which - 



Forbids setting fire to the woods, and 

 Forbids leaving any fires unextinguished. 



This law, for offenses against which officers of the Forest 

 Service can arrest without warrant, provides as a maximum 

 punishment 



A fine of $5000, or imprisonment for two years, or both, if 

 the fire is set maliciously, and 



A fine of $1000, or imprisonment for one year, or both, if 

 fire results from carelessness. 



It also provides that the money from such fines shall be 

 paid to the school fund of the county in which the offense is 

 committed. 



The exercise of care with small fires is the best preventive of 

 large ones. Therefore all persons are requested 



