FIREWARDEN'S REPORT. 19 



Fire line construction has already helped to lessen the area burned 

 per fire and presents the best apparent mechanical control generally 

 available for coal-burning roads. (See pp. 52-56), Special patrol 

 in many places will be found a cheap insurance for both railroad 

 and land owner. (See pp. 48-50). Insistance by a company on a 

 strict observance by its employees of every precaution in control 

 of fire such as the Pennsylvania Railroad outlined this year cannot 

 fail to help materially. (See p. 53). In dealing with this class 

 the major emphasis, however, must lie on preparedness to put out 

 fires promptly rather than on control of their cause. 



Brush Fires, 



The effect of rigid enforcement of the brush-burning permit law 

 stands out clearly in the continually decreasing number of fires 

 connected with this work. There were 65 fires definitely allied with 

 brush burning last year, and but 38 recorded from this cause dur- 

 ing the current year. This reduction is definitely traced to the 

 increased care used by those burning brush, and to the fact that a 

 continually decreasing number find it necessary to burn brush at 

 all. It is to carelessness or ignorance that all so-called brush fires 

 owe their origin. As the danger of handling fires becomes better 

 recognized, because of active warning or penalties imposed, these 

 causes are removed. 



There were 4,iocc permits issued for burning brush during the 

 year, and fewer violations of this requirement. 



