FOREST PROTECTION BRANCH 



Air Service Section 

 1961-62 



Two Otter aircraft were purchased during the year and two Beaver aircraft 

 were sold. One Otter crashed while carrying out fire suppression operations at 

 the time of the serious fire situation in Kenora District during June. Fortunately, 

 the pilot escaped without injury although the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. 

 The present fleet is comprised of 35 Beaver, eight Otter and one Super Widgeon, 

 making a total of 44. 



Flying operations were carried out from 28 bases during the fire season. 

 Eleven of these bases provide year-round flying service necessary in resources 

 management work. 



Five heHcopters were again leased from May 1st to September 30th to provide 

 transportation in fighting fires that occur in areas where there are no roads or 

 landable lakes. 



Water dropping from tanks mounted on Beaver and Otter aircraft again 

 proved to be an important factor in successful fire attack in 1961. 



Total flying time for the year was 14,485 hours. Total passengers carried 

 37,970. 



Total loads carried 16,242,084 pounds. 



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