638 



CHAPTER IV. 



PROTECTION AGAINST FOREST FIRES.* 



Forest fires are nearly always caused by human agency, 

 generally owing to carelessness, but are sometimes intentional ; 

 they are also occasionally due to lightning. 



It is intended to treat the subject according to these causes, 

 taken in order. 



Se(7tion I. — Forest Fires caused by Human Agency. 

 1. Causes. 



The following acts, omissions, or occupations may cause 

 forest fires : — 



Kindling a fire without permission in a forest, or by the 

 side of a forest road, in order to warm themSelves or to cook 

 their food, by travellers, or men engaged in felling trees, road- 

 making, etc. 



Leaving a fire, which has been lighted by permission of the 

 forest manager, without completely extinguishing it. 



Carelessness of charcoal-burners whilst burning their kihi, 

 or extracting charcoal from it. 



Burning branches or weeds whilst cultivating crops on 

 forest-land or on fields adjoining forests, .also burning moor-, 

 heather-, or grass-land. 



Burning bark to destroy beetles, etc. 



Night-fires by poachers after fish or game ; burning out 

 wild bees. The collection of wild honey and wax is common in 

 East Prussia and in Piussia and India, and frequently gives 

 rise to forest fires. 



Shooting in forests with rag or paper wads. 



* Gerding, " Fires iu the Luneberger Haide," " Frstl. Blttr.,". 1886, p. 241 ; 

 Fernandez, "Notes on Indian Sylviculture" (2nd edition), 1893. This book gives 

 a very detailed account of the m«ii,siires fur couibating forest fires. 



