36 MISC. PUBLICATION 10 9, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



partially effective in stopping the spread of fires and are not con- 

 structed primarily for that purpose. 



19. What is a fire road? 



A fire road or motor way is an inexpensive road of narrow width 

 and often heavy grades, cleared of all inflammable material, which 

 opens up to motor transportation an area or section of a national 

 forest where fire hazard exists. It provides a means of getting 

 quicker action on fires in isolated localities and in addition serves as 

 a firebreak. 



20. What is a fire line? 



A fire line is a trail or cleared line built during the progress of a 

 fire, from which all inflammable material is removed down to min- 

 eral soil. When the fire reaches the line lack of fuel causes it to 

 die down and permits of effective control measures being taken. 

 The width of a fire line depends on such conditions as velocity of 

 wind, slope, and character and height of the ground cover. 



21. Under what authority can Forest Service officers conscript 

 citizens and travelers to fight fires? 



Section 384 (amended April 22, 1927) of the Penal Code of Cali- 

 fornia makes it a misdemeanor for any able-bodied person to refuse 

 to render assistance in combating a forest fire at the summons of a 

 State fire warden. All Forest Service officers hold appointments 

 as State fire wardens. 



22. Under what conditions is this authority used? 



Only in cases of emergency. Persons conscripted are released as 

 soon as possible. 



23. What shall I do if I discover a fire? 



Try to extinguish it at once, or, if this is not possible, report it 

 by telephone or in person to the nearest Federal or State ranger, 

 ranger station, or forest officer. Remember " minutes count in 

 reporting fires." 



24. Is there any law against throwing burning matches and tobacco 

 from an automobile? 



Section 384, subsection 6 of the State Penal Code, makes this a 

 misdemeanor, and section (M), regulation T-l of the Secretary of 

 Agriculture, makes this act on national-forest land a trespass. 



25. What are the penalties for carelessness with fire in the national 

 forest? 



Under the acts of June 4, 1897 (30 Stat. 11) and February 1, 1905 

 (33 Stat. 628), any violation of the regulations of the Secretary 

 of Agriculture concerning the national forests is punishable by 

 a fine or not more than $500, or imprisonment for not more than 

 12 months, or both, as provided for in the act of June 4, 1888 (25 

 Stat. 166). Carelessness with fire is a violation of regulation T-l 

 of the Secretary. The State law, under section 384 of the Penal 

 Code, also provides a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment 

 in the county jail for six months, or both. 



IF YOU DON'T KNOW, ASK A UNITED STATES FOREST 



RANGER 



