Forest Fire Suppression 



Forest Fire suppression consisted of a supreme effort to combine every 

 available resource of manpower and equipment into an organization geared to 

 expansion in keeping with rapidly changing requirements. The organization of 

 the complete field staff including Fish and Wildlife, Timber Management, Lands 

 men and others, together with Protection personnel into an effective fire 

 fighting machine proved most effective. 



A system of complete flexibility throughout the service proved its 

 worth. Experienced supervisory personnel, aircraft and fire fighting equipment 

 were funnelled into the areas of heavy fire load thus deriving the maximum 

 benefit from the entire organization. 



The province's fleet of thirty-eight Beaver and three Otter aircraft 

 did a tremendous job without accident. 



Two small helicopters were under contract for the period May 1st to 

 October 31st. These machines, capable of carrying up to 600 pounds were used 

 mainly for transporting small crews and equipment to newly discovered lightning 

 fires in inaccessible, locations and provided the rapid transportation essential 

 to suppressing many fires at discovery size. 



Two large helicopters supplied by the Royal Canadian Air Force pro- 

 vided general transportation for larger fires and eliminated a tremendous Job 

 of ground packing and difficult transportation. 



Cargo dropping from 200 to 300 feet, both free and using eleven and 

 sixteen foot parachutes, was extensively employed. 



Water bombing, using three gallon paper containers, was an important 

 factor in holding small fires to discovery size and preventing spread of hot 

 spots in large fires until a ground crew took over. 



The carrying of a small equipped crew on aerial fire patrol follow- 

 ing lightning storms and during periods of high hazard paid off on several 

 occasions. 



A camera carried in each aircraft provided valuable Information 

 concerning location and progress of fires. 



New types of light crawler units eind trailers were employed to good 

 advanteige in areas inaccessible to wheel equipment. 



Due to the extreme drought, water tankers of various kinds were 

 employed . 



Other items employed were pack horses for getting wet hose out from 

 fires, power sawa for clearing fire line and helicopter landings, coloured 

 smoke flares as a signalling device and wetting agents to improve the quenching 

 effect of water on deep-seated fires. 



The benefits of up-to-date district fire protection plans, pre-fire 

 season meetings with adjoining provinces and bordering states, and general 

 planning for any emergency, were fully realized. 



Small stand-by crews instructed and maintained at strategic points 

 proved invaluable as a means of rapid and effective initial attack. 



Co-operation Received 



Throughout the emergency a very effective and greatly appreciated 

 co-operative effort prevailed. 



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