FIRE PROBLEM IN FOREST OF L'ESTEREL 283 



Carlo. The damage from fires in the Landes is not so great because 

 of the ease of regenerating the maritime pine after fires; the problem of 

 reforestation is far less serious than in the Maures and 1'Esterel country. 

 '.The law of August 19, 1893, already referred to on p. 262, covered State, 

 communal, and private forests. After establishing the nominal area of 

 fire danger the law provided that from June to September open fire was 

 forbidden within 656 feet of all forests or brush land without special 

 authorization. The prefet or the conservator could grant permits for 

 charcoal making, but it was provided that in case of damage the party 

 burning charcoal would be liable. The law also provided that fire 

 may be authorized on forests cut by fire lines, but the responsibility for 

 damage would not be waived. The penalty for building fires illegally 

 was five days in jail or a fine of $3.86 to $9.65, and the responsibility of 

 children or workmen was fixed on parents or contractors. Forest 

 officers were given police powers, as were private guards after being duly 

 authorized by the conservator or the prefet. According to Article 9 

 of this law: 



* Every owner of wooded land, forest or ground, covered with brush, which has not 

 been entirely cleared may be compelled by the owner of similar adjoining land to open 

 and maintain on his part along the boundaries of the two contiguous areas a fire line 

 cleared of all brush or conifers and maintained in a thoroughly cleared state; the width 

 of this fire line, to be established half on each property, shall be from 66 to 164 feet. 

 Its location shall be fixed by agreement between the interested owners and in case of 

 disagreement, by the prefet, with the approval of the conservator of forests." 



Railroads operating in this region are required to open fire lines and 

 keep them cleared 66 feet from each rail within 6 months from the enact- 

 ment of the law and entirely at the expense of the railroad. The debris 

 must be suitably disposed of and if not it can be done by the Service 

 of Waters and Forests and the cost assessed against the railroad com- 

 pany. By special agreement in exceptional cases trees on fire lines need 

 not be felled. 28 The local mayor of the commune, or his deputy, or 

 the highest official may alone start back fires without danger of civil 

 suit in case of resulting damage. A subsidy of $932 per mile for the 

 network of main line defense roads for this region was provided by the law. 



The Fire Problem in the Forest of 1'Esterel (Var). According to the 

 local working plan, by Inspector Salvador in 1906, and subsequent 

 official reports the following areas have been burned over: 



28 For a discussion of the problem of entire or partial clearance of fire lines see French 

 Forests and Forestry already cited. 



