34 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



Fire -Guards 



Owing to lack of time, it was not possible to make a detailed study 

 of the fire-guard question in advance of the issuance of instructions 

 for the summer of 191 2. The policy previously adopted was therefore 

 continued ; this entailed a blanket requirement that fire-guards shotild 

 be constructed along railway lines in the prairie sections, except where 

 satisfactory proof could be made by the company concerned 

 that such construction was either unnecessary or impracticable. Such 

 construction was required, as formerly, in the Provinces of Alberta 

 and Saskatchewan, and, in addition, in Manitoba, where it appeared 

 that protection was needed by the fanning interests. 



In order to make this situation entirely clear, the following ex- 

 tracts are quoted from the instructions issued the various railway 

 companies concerned : 



"A fire-guard within the meaning of this order shall be under- 

 stood to be a strip of plowed land not less than sixteen feet in 

 width, along each side of the right-of-way ; the outer edge of each 

 strip to be not less than three hundred feet distant from the centre 

 of the railway, except where, for a good reason to be shown, con- 

 struction at the distance specified is impracticable. In sections 

 where fire-guards are necessary, and on account of brush or timber 

 it is impracticable to plow, the fire-guard may be constructed by 

 clearing away the brush or undergrowth and removing all combusti- 

 ble matter on the ground, thoroughly exposing the mineral soil 

 for the required ' width, in such manner as to form an efficient 

 fire-guard. 



"Where a fire-guard has been constructed within two years 

 past, strictly in accordance with the above requirements, discing 

 will be acceptable instead of plowing, but all weeds and other 

 inflammable material must be plowed or disced under the furrow, 

 so as to make a good and efficient fire-guard. 



"Where fire-guards have previously been constructed which 

 are not strictly ia accordance with the above requirements, new 

 fire-guards must be constructed which will conform to the specifi- 

 cations. However, where fire-guards have already been constructed 

 this season at a distance of less than three hundred feet from the 

 track, but are otherwise according to the specifications herein 

 contained, such construction will be accepted for this year's 

 requirements, but no longer. 



"The construction of such fire-guards shall be completed as 

 specified, within the said Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and 

 Manitoba, not later than the fifteenth day of August, 191 2. 



"Between the said fifteenth day of August and the first day 

 of December, the Company shall keep the said fire-guards, and 

 each parcel or section of land between them and the railway, 

 free from dead or dry grass, weeds and other unnecessary combust- 

 ible matter. 



