ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION lOI 



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 pubhc 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 



" Commission d'Etudes Forestieres, p. 138. 



