FIRE PROTECTION AND CONTROL 93 



and the local officials. The conservators are required to report 

 to the governor, through the prefect or the generals command- 

 ing divisions in which forests are under military control, the 

 trips taken in the forests by local officials and the arrangements 

 made for controlling fires. Natives must be fully informed of 

 all fire regulations, since ignorance does not excuse or repair 

 damage. Definite instructions are laid down in regard to pro- 

 visioning fire fighters. In exposed regions a central lookout 

 station, commanding the others, has been found efficacious, 

 but telephone lines are only established in cases of exceptional 

 danger. 



Another plan which has been put into effect is to concentrate 

 improvement work during the dry season, when the workman 

 can be used for fire fighting. The railroad rights-of-way, in 

 that plan, are put under surveillance, to make certain that the 

 required fire lines are cleared. Assistant prefects, mayors, ad- 

 ministrators, and Forest Service officers must report their patrol 

 trips directly to the governor; leave between the dangerous 

 fire season is only allowed in case of sickness. Military detach- 

 ments, during the critical season, supplement the forest personnel 

 and work in cooperation with them. In case of conflagrations 

 immediate telegraphic advice is sent in case additional help is 

 required. 



Those reporting on fires are cautioned not to exaggerate 

 damages; all details must be personally investigated and a 

 preliminary report must first be despatched giving the general 

 direction of the fire, kind of forests burned, attitude of local 

 residents, assistance given by them, and protective measures 

 taken. The final report of inquiry includes: (a) General data 

 on the fire; (b) Damage caused; (c) Conduct of local residents 

 and their assistance in putting out the fire; (d) Causes of the 

 fire. It is especially emphasized in the circular summarized that 

 rapid action in bringing fire trespassers to court will have the 

 best possible effect on stamping out this evil. 



Fire Lines. The basis of the Algerian fire-protective scheme 

 is the system of fire lines. These are ordinarily built along 

 crests or ridges, but also follow wagon roads and paths which 



