84 EEPOET OF THE No. 3 



CIRCULAR FOR ONTARIO DIVISIONAL FIRE INSPECTORS OF 

 BOARD OF RAILWAY COMMISSIONERS. 



[This does not supersede the Memorandum sent out by the Fire Inspection Depart- 

 ment of Ottawa, dated 14 April, but merely synopslses the more important points.] 



Parliament Buildings, Toronto, 

 (a) Oeneral: 



The work called for is (1) a checking up of the railway companies in regard to their 

 carrying out the provisions of Order 107, and (2) the investigation of fires. 



The result desired is the securing of protection from railway fires, and each divi- 

 sional inspector is responsible for achieving this in his territory. This is possible through 

 the powers conferred by Order 107 on Ofiicers of the Board of Railway Commissioners. 



The method toward this end should be one of co-operation with the Officials of the 

 Company, not dictation or criticism. 



(&) Fires: 



(1) Arrange with the Railway Officials to be notified of fires. Knowledge of fires' 

 other than those you are concerned with should be transmitted to the nearest Crown 

 Timber Agent and Chief Fire Ranger of the division. 



(2) What fires to report: — ^All fires that get within SOO feet of the track should be 

 reported in duplicate on the regular form, whether caused by railway or not, whether 

 large or small, and regardless of damage. These fires will be of two classes: (a) those 

 which started within 300 feet of the track and (6) those which started outside the 

 300-foot limit, but burned in towards the line to within this limit. In the case of the 

 latter class of fires, this fact should be made dear In the report. 



(3) Investigation of each fire: 



(a) Determining tJie probable cause is very Important; if it can be traced 

 to a certain engine. Wire the Information collect to the General Superintendent 

 of the line, and note this action in your report. 



(6) Did railway employees comply with Regulation 13, (a), (6), (c), 

 (d), (e)? [Insert this fact on Weekly Report Form, 6th last heading.] 



(c) On the Fire Report Form give distance from track where fire started 

 as exactly as possible; if this cannot be ascertained, state whether It started 

 probably within or without the 300-foot limit. The acreage of each class of 

 growth should be given, and damage for each class. 



(d) A cursory investigation without getting the essential facts is time 

 largely wasted; better take the time to find out what you are after. All In- 

 formation gathered as to cause, damage, etc., is private. 



(c) Right of Way: 



(1) All burning must be done under supervision by the Railway Company (Regu- 

 lation 9). 



(2) Any Board Officer can prohibit burning If proper supervision Is not being given, 

 or if he considers it too dangerous (Regulation 9). 



(3) The principle to be followed Is hearty co-operation with the Company to get 

 all the debris burned up that can be reasonably risked. 



(d) Patrol: 



(1) Are all the requirements of the patrol letter of the Chief Fire Inspector being 

 carried out by the Company? 



