FIRE PROTECTION AND CONTROL 91 



FIRE PROTECTION AND CONTROL 



Fire Protection. As in Tunisia (see page 26) fire protection 

 is concentrated on the valuable cork-oak forests, but in Algeria 

 stands of other species as well are being placed under intensive 

 protection; the aleppo pine, for example, which is being de- 

 veloped to yield a revenue from turpentine. Notwithstanding 

 the efforts which have been made to curtail fire damage, the 

 annual loss is still considerable, and most fires, even now, are 

 caused by incendiarism. During the year 1910 the general 

 statistics of Algeria show a total of 482 fires on 24,294 hectares, 

 (60,030 acres), causing a damage of 411,287 francs ($79,378.39), 

 of which 97,212 francs ($18,761.92) of damage was on private 

 forests. 



The Algerian climate is chiefly responsible for the extremely 

 dangerous fire conditions that prevail, because of the prolonged 

 droughts during the hot months, and the inflammable conditions 

 of the underbrush during these periods. 



Preventive Measures. To supplement the fire laws given 

 in the Algerian Code (see Appendix, especially Arts. 123, 125 

 126, 127, 128, 129, 132, 136, 139, and 140), the Governor 

 of Algeria approved, August 20, 1904, special regulations; the 

 more important provisions have been digested under these 

 headings : 



(i) Use of fire; (2) setting fires; (3) organization of patrol 

 service; (4) general rules. 



(i) Use of fire: From July i to October 31 every building 

 where fires are lighted, within 200 metres (218 yards) of a forest, 

 must be surrounded with a cleared fire line 25 metres (27 yards) 

 wide. Temporary camps, etc., must also be encircled by a dry 

 stone wall i metre (40 inches) high, with but one opening not to 

 exceed 80 centimetres (31 inches) in width, or with a ditch 50 

 centimetres (20 inches) deep, and an earth wall of the same 

 height. Mine furnaces may be established and steam road 

 rollers used only upon special authorization. Railroads will 

 be informed what rights-of-way must be cleared in accordance 

 with Article 132 (see page 193). 



