PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE. 99 



The utmost tact and vigilance should be exercised where set- 

 tlers are accustomed to use fire in clearing land. Public sentiment 

 is rightly in sympathy with home builders, and the control of 

 their operations should give the least possible cause for resentment 

 and impatience with the reserve administration, but it should be 

 exercised firmly none the less. Settlers should be shown the 

 injury to their own interests, as well as to the public, which 

 results from forest fires. Methods and times of burning should 

 be discussed with them, and, if possible, an amicable agreement 

 secured to have no burning except when authorized by the forest 

 officer and when he is present. But while the aim ought always 

 to l)e toward cooperation and good will, it is equally important to 

 have it well understood that reserve interests will be protected 

 by every legal means. 



Where any tendency to ignore instructions is observed, notice 

 must be given that action will be brought for any damage sus- 

 tained by the United States and that willful negligence will be 

 prosecuted criminally. If this is ignored and damage does result, 

 prosecution must be prompt and vigorous. Where there is suffi- 

 cient reason to anticipate danger, as from a large slashing which 

 it is announced will be burned at a dangerous time, injunction 

 may be secured. Do not hesitate to use the telegraph to ask ad- 

 vice or report action taken to the Forester. 



Similar means should be employed where reserves are endan- 

 gered by railroads or logging operations on private lands, and 

 prompt report of such conditions should be made to the Forester. 



FIRE LAWS AND PENALTIES. 



There is ample legal provision for the punishment of 

 malice or carelessness with fires. The act of June 4, 

 1897 (Appendix, p. 158), instructs the Secretary to make 

 provisions for their protection against fire, and pro- 

 vides for the punishment of any violation of his regu- 

 lations. The act of May 5, 1900 (Appendix, p. 183), 

 prescribes a maximum fine of $5,000, or two years' im- 

 prisonment, or both, for any person convicted of re- 

 sponsibility for the willful setting of a fire on the public 



