The use of rangers equipped with special fire prevention vehicles was con- 

 tinued. The rangers carried out an effective programme by visiting schools, 

 attending meetings, distributing literature and carrying out inspections of equip- 

 ment or conditions that create fire hazards. 



A new publication "Our Forests Are Burning" was completed in 1964 and 

 will be distributed during 1965. This publication is particularly suited for the 

 elementary school fire prevention educational programme. 



PRESCRIBED BURNING 





A total of four prescribed burn projects were carried out, summarized as 

 follows: 



Blueberry production 600 acres 



Seed bed preparation 155 acres 



Regeneration 30 acres 



The number of burns carried out in 1964 was lower than in the previous 

 year, mainly due to unsuitable weather. 



Slash burning for hazard reduction is also being investigated and burns with 

 this objective in mind are planned for 1965. 



TRAINING 



The provincial fire control training programme continued in 1964 with three 

 courses being conducted. Sixty instructors were trained during the year. One 

 hundred and sixty candidates have now completed the four-week instructor 

 training course. For the first time, a number of out-of-the-province students and 

 Industry Personnel attended the courses. 



District training courses were carried out following the standard training 

 manual. The majority of these were of two weeks' duration. 



Indian training was expanded in 1964 with close to 500 Indians completing 

 a five to 10-day course. Indians who receive training may be employed in special 

 fire crews during high fire danger periods. This programme has resulted in a 

 strengthening of fire control operations and at the same time improved Indian 

 employment opportunities. 



Junior Rangers received formal fire training and worked a total of 621 man 

 days on fires. 



FIRE SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT 



Equipment development and testing was continued at the Maple Research 

 Station during the past year. The work is carried out by the Mechanical Section 

 of the Research Branch. 



A proto-type propane hose drying unit was constructed, capable of drying 

 1200 feet of XVz inch unlined hose per hour. The dryer will undergo field tests 

 at Sudbury during 1965. 



A new air-cooled motor pump was tested and found to meet both perform- 

 ance and service-free running time standards set by the Forest Protection Branch. 



Several additives, designed to extend the service-free running time on air 

 cooled motors, were tested and found to be of little or no benefit. 



Hose tests were carried out in Cochrane District to ensure that hose pur- 

 chased met specifications. At the same time, current hose specifications were 

 reviewed to see that they met field requirements. Limited tests were also carried 

 out with a new lined percolating hose which showed promise. It has both the 



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