PRESCRIBED BURNING 



A total of 17 prescribed burn projects covering approximately 2,428 acres 

 were carried out in 1963, summarized as follows: 



Blueberry production 2035 acres 



Seed bed preparation 266.5 acres 



Stand conversion 74 acres 



Regeneration 44 acres 



Stand improvement 8.5 acres 



All burns except those in connection with blueberry production were of a 

 research nature and more information is required before the operation becomes an 

 accepted silvicultural technique in Ontario. Slash burning for hazard reduction is 

 also being investigated and an intensification of effort in this regard is being 

 planned. 



TRAINING 



The Provincial Fire Control training program introduced in 1962 was ex- 

 tended during the 1963 fire season. A total of 107 candidates have now completed 

 the Instructors' Training Course. 



Training of armed forces personnel included a course at Camp Petawawa 

 with 35 selected offices in attendance and courses at Camp Picton, Camp Peta- 

 wawa, Camp Ipperwash and Camp Borden with 220 officers and NCOs in 

 attendance. 



Formal training of selected Indian groups was also extended during 1963, 

 The bulk of this training was carried out in northwestern Ontario. 



NEW DEVELOPMENTS 



In co-operation with DeHavilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, a 200 gallon 

 water dropping tank was designed, built and installed on an Otter aircraft. The 

 new tank is suspended under the fuselage of the aircraft and is readily demountable. 

 This development has resulted in a much improved drop pattern along with some 

 improvement in the flying characteristics of the aircraft. 



An effective new water dropping bucket was developed for use with leased 

 helicopters. Two sizes of "bucket" have been built — 45 gallon units for use with 

 Super-G-type helicopters and a 75 gallon unit built for the Hiller 12E or Bell G-4 

 type of helicopter. This development further increases the versatility of helicopters 

 in forest fire control work. 



A new fire report form was designed and used for the first full fire season. 

 The form is suitable for use in an electronic data processing system. 



Forest Pest Control 



Forest pest problems in Ontario, which involve chiefly damaging insects and 

 disease of trees, are shared co-operatively with the Forest Entomology and Path- 

 ology Branch of the Canada Department of Forestry. The Province is responsible 

 for initiating and conducting all control operations on lands under its jurisdiction, 

 and the federal government conducts the surveys and research work on which 

 control decisions are based. 



SURVEYS 



Each year, this Department participates to a large extent in the Ontario 

 portion of the Canada-wide Forest Insect and Disease Survey of the federal 

 Department of Forestry. Detailed information concerning the occurrence and 



118 



