FOREST PROTECTION SECTION 



Forest Fire ControS 



The 1961 fire season proved to be one of the most severe seasons in recent 

 years. A total of 1,305 fires occurred burning over a total of 1,184,728 acres. 

 Fire occurrence for the full season was normal but acreage burned was twelve 

 times the average for the previous ten years. 



The region of heaviest fire occurrence and damage was the North-Western 

 part of the Province, west of Lake Nipigon to the Manitoba boundary. This 

 area was affected by an extreme drought condition which had been developing 

 since 1959. Extremely low water levels in watersheds in this area clearly showed 

 the lack of moisture. The remainder of the Province experienced below normal 

 fire occurrence and damage. 



The most critical period of fire occurrence and spread in the Western Region 

 lasted 28 days, between June 15th and July 12th when 244 fires were reported. 

 During this period 12 fires occurred in the northern portion of Sioux Lookout 

 District which accounted for approximately 95% of the total area burned for the 

 entire fire season. This damage accurred in an area accessible only by aircraft and 

 in forest which is beyond present economical timber harvesting operations. 



The following is a breakdown of burning index ratings for Sioux Lookout, 

 Kenora and Fort Frances districts for the 28 day period June 15th to July 12th 

 inclusive: 



District Extreme High Medium Low 



Sioux Lookout 17 10 1 nil 



Kenora 23 5 nil nil 



Fort Frances 26 2 nil nil 



During this period with predominantly extreme burning index ratings, a 

 number of severe lightning storms crossed the Western Region with rainfalls that 

 in most cases were recorded as a trace or very few tenths of one inch. Low rela- 

 tive humidities and high winds were common. On Julv 1st in Sioux Lookout 

 district, low relative humidity was 22% and winds were recorded at 30 m.p.h. 

 gusting up to 60 m.p.h. 



Fire Frequency by Cause Lightning was responsible for starting 34% of all 

 fires reported during the 1961 fire season. This is 12% higher than the decade 

 average of 22% for the period of 1950 to 1959 inclusive. 

 Prosecutions and Convictions A total of 54 charges were laid under the Forest 

 Fires Prevention Act and Regulations resulting in 47 convictions. 

 Forest Fire Suppression To meet the fire situation Deoartment personnel and 

 equipment were mobilized throughout the Province and there was an orderly 

 flow of firefighting resources, based on day-to-dav requirements, into the fire area. 

 The movement of assistance from outside the Western Region started on June 

 17th with the South-Central "Project Fire Team" of 17 supervisory personnel 

 going to Sioux Lookout. Four water dropping DeHavilland Otter aircraft were 

 flown into northwestern Ontario to assist the four Otters based in the area. 

 Four additional Beaver aircraft from eastern Ontario and all five Department 

 helicopters were moved into the region. In addition to the 28 Department aircraft 

 operating in the area, the Royal Canadian Air Force provided two large heli- 

 copters, Ontario Hydro Electric Power Commission two more, and the Depart- 

 ment requisitioned the services of four additional helicopters. A large water- 



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