30 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



number of incipient fires extinguished, since this is an indication, 

 not only of the efficiency of the patrol, but of the necessity of its 

 continuation and of the intensity necessary. 



During the season of 19 13, particular care should be taken to 

 report separately every authentic case of a fire set by sparks from 

 a coal-burning locomotive. Positive information should be secured 

 wherever possible. The object is to determine, so far as practica- 

 ble, the extent to which fires are caused by sparks from locomotives, 

 and general assumptions will be of Httle or no value for this specific 

 purpose. In each case where it is positively known that a locomo- 

 tive has set a fire, the record of inspections at the terminal shotild 

 be consulted, to determine the condition of the netting mesh; and 

 this point should be included in the report to the Chief Fire In- 

 spector. 



In sections where oil fuel is in use, every effort should be made 

 to determine whether and under what circumstances fire is caused 

 by the operation of such locomotives. A complete report should 

 be submitted to the Chief Fire Inspector in each case. 



A statistical report to the Board will be expected at the end 

 of the fire season, with regard to fire damage along railways within 

 the territory under the jurisdiction of each superior field officer 

 of the Board. 



In addition to the above, each superior field officer is requested 

 to submit to the Chief Fire Inspector at some convenient time, or 

 times, during each month of the fire season, a brief statement of the 

 railway-fire situation within the territory tmder his jurisdiction, 

 as an officer of the Board. This need not be a detailed report, but 

 should cover briefly the general featxures of the situation, with 

 particular reference to the compliance of the companies with the 

 requirements made of them, the general efficiency of such measures, 

 the general weather conditions, and a general statement as to the 

 amoimt of railway-fire damage since the last report. This action 

 is essential in order that the Board may maintain proper touch with 

 the field situation. To some extent, this action may, if preferred, 

 be taken by forwarding carbon copies of weekly or monthly re- 

 ports, submitted by Divisional Fire Inspectors. 



Where correspondence is being carried on in the field, with 

 regard to matters of which the Ottawa office should be informed, the 

 necessity of writing additional letters to the Chief Fire Inspector 

 may frequently be obviated by ma iling carbon copies, without 

 letters of transmittal. This is especially important where modifi- 

 cations are made in the requirements imposed by the Chief Fire 

 Inspector. Where essenti^ to a proper imderstanding of the 

 situation, copies of letters from the railway officials concerned 

 should also be forwarded, but in many cases this may not be neces- 

 sary. 



When Fire Inspectors, for whom transportation has been 

 secured by the Board, are laid off before the close of the calendar 

 year, unexpired passes should be retvuned to the Chief Fire In- 

 spector for cancellation. 



