Forest Fires.

Chap. 23.—The L. G. in C. may proclaim fire districts, in Ontario Gazette, and may revoke the same. No fires are to be lighted in or near the woods in such districts between 1st April and 1st November, except for clearing land, cooking or obtaining warmth or some industrial purpose, page 92 and with the use of all reasonable precautions against its spreading into the adjoining forest in the case of clearing land. In the other cases named a locality most tree of vegetable matter, dead wood, branches, brushwood, dry leaves or resinous trees is to be selected. All these things are to be removed for a distance of 10 feet around the fire. Every precaution is to be used to prevent the fire from spreading and it must be carefully extinguished before the parties leave the place. Any person throwing down a lighted match, or cigar, pipe ashes or other burning substance or discharging fire arms and not extinguishing any fire caused thereby is liable to the penalties of the Act. Any person in charge of a survey or exploring party, or drive of timber or any work requiring camping parties, is to take with him a copy of this Act and read and explain it to his employees at least once a week. Locomotives on railways running through such districts must be provided with the most approved means of preventing the escape of fire from the furnace or asn-pan, and of sparks from the smoke stack; and it is the duty of the engine-drivers to see that these appliances are properly used. Any person violating the Act is liable to a fine of $50 or imprisonment in default for 3 mos. and a railway Co. using a locomotive not provided as above to one of $100. Suits to be commenced within 3 mos. Penalties go one-half to complainant and the other to the Crown. It is the special duty of Crown Land Agents, Woods and Forest Agents, Free Grant Agents and Bush Rangers to enforce the Act. Civil actions for damages are not interfered with by this Act.