

FIRE PROTECTION 273 



seasons, there is, under the living grass, a dense cushion 

 of dry grass of former seasons which is as inflammable as 

 tinder, and is thus at least as easily set alight as the 

 grass on the line. 



A calm still evening is usually the best time of the 

 day to commence firing, unless the dew is so heavy that 

 it will prevent the fire from burning. The advantage 

 of starting at near sundown is that it is usually the 

 stillest part of the day, and that there is less danger of 

 wind carrying sparks into the forest ; it has the additional 

 advantage of making sparks visible to the eye. This is 

 a great advantage, for it permits of their being followed, 

 and if they fall into the forest they can be stamped out 

 at once. In the fierce sunlight of the Tropics sparks 

 cannot be seen, and the first notice of their, flight may 

 be obtained by seeing fire and smoke rising from the 

 forest. A slight fall of dew may also be helpful by 

 bringing the fire under easier control ; but if it be so 

 heavy that the burning becomes irregular and many 

 patches of grass remain unburnt, the firing should be 

 stopped at once and resumed on the first suitable occasion. 



The firing is carried out by a gang of men under the 

 supervision of a responsible forest official, who directs 

 the operations, decides the proper time for starting and 

 for closing work, prescribes any modifications in the 

 routine of firing, and takes measures to repress any fire 

 which may cross the guide-line into the forest. In the 

 Indian forests this work is usually carried out under the 

 supervision of a ranger, and, as often as possible, a 

 supervising officer is also present. To young forest 

 officers going out to the Tropics I would recommend as 

 frequent attendance as possible at the firing of the lines 

 within their forests. The ranger in charge may be a 

 man of great experience, who may know all the tricks 

 by which a fire may be circumvented. Nevertheless, 

 although his superior officer may have little or no 

 experience, it is a comfort to him to have him present 

 to take the responsibility. Southern races often dislike 

 responsibility, and if they are saddled with it they are 



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