ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION IOI 



Back-firing. As a result of experience there is, on the part 

 of Algerian foresters, a decided prejudice against back-firing, a 

 method of fire fighting which was, in the past, badly abused. 

 The commission reported: ** 



"We believe it worth while to note the great danger which 

 arises when back fires are lighted to fight conflagrations. 

 Back fires require a number of favorable circumstances which 

 are rarely present in actual practice; they presuppose also 

 long experience on the part of those using them, a quality 

 which is rarely acquired. It is going too far when each 

 native, each neighbor, each mayor or administrator, or each 

 forest employee should assume the right of starting a new 

 fire under the pretext of backfiring and of saving his hut, 

 his property, his commune, or his beat. The (forest) ad- 

 ministration should give the strictest orders that the pro- 

 visions of the law on this subject must be rigorously observed 

 by all. . . ." 



Fire Lines Conclusions. Are fire lines as now used in 

 Algeria really worth the cost? After talking with local officers 

 my conclusion is that fire lines are necessary, but that well- 

 cleared narrow lines are more practical than wide lines neces- 

 sarily expensive to maintain. A narrow line is sufficient to 

 stop the ordinary fire when the wind is not violent; with a 

 serious wind even a wide line will not avail. Lines should, so 

 far as possible, be combined with the roads and trails used in 

 the business of export. Large areas of even-aged inflammable 

 stands should be avoided. Often agriculture can be encouraged 

 so that farm lands will separate stands. One of the main rea- 

 sons why lines have been cleared arises from the desire to 

 make the public feel that energetic steps are being taken to 

 combat fires which have become a national calamity. 



ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION 



Forest Organization. The Governor General is at the present 

 time virtually at the head of and in complete control of the 

 forest organization of Algeria. It is true that the officers of 



44 Commission d'Etudes Forestieres, p. 138. 



