FOREST PROTECTION SECTION 

 Forest Fire Control 



THE 1965 FIRE RECORD 



A total of 1,218 forest fires occurred in Ontario during the 1965 forest fire 

 season, resulting in a total acreage burned of 19,904 acres. The total number of 

 fires was 10.4 % lower than the previous 15 year period (1950 to 1964 inclusive), 

 whereas the area burned was 87% lower than the average for the same 15 year 

 period. 



Average Number of Fires (1950-1964) — 1,360 

 Average Acreage Burned (1950-1964) — 152,623 acres 

 The area burned in 1965 (19,904 acres) is the fourth lowest acreage burned 

 on record for Ontario. 



Three large fires (9,500 acres, 1,200 acres and 2,400 acres) accounted for 

 66% of the total acreage burned for the year. 



The highest fire incidence period was May and June, when 733 of the fires 

 were reported during a high Spring fire danger period. Fire danger conditions 

 improved later in the season and a wet, unseasonable Fall resulted in only 18 fires 

 being reported during the months of September, October and November. 



FIRE CAUSE 



Recreation was the most prevalent cause of fires accounting for 33 percent 

 of the total number reported, burning 58 percent of the total area destroyed. 

 Lightning was responsible for starting 17 percent of all fires reported and this is 

 6 percent lower than the average for the previous decade. 



FIRE PREVENTION 



The normal prevention programme, directed toward making the public more 

 fire conscious, was continued in 1965 using television, radio and newspapers. 

 Department personnel continued their programme of visiting schools and con- 

 ducting meetings in provincial parks, distributing literature and instructing children 

 on the dangers of fire. 



A special tour of Northern Ontario was made by Department of Lands and 

 Forests personnel and railway staff, instructing railway workmen in fire prevention 

 and burning techniques along their rights-of-way. 



A forest protection display attracted the interest of thousands visiting the 

 Canadian National Exhibition and Sportsmen's Shows throughout the Province. 



PROSECUTIONS AND CONVICTIONS 



A total of 37 prosecutions for infractions of The Forest Fires Prevention Act 

 were initiated, and resulted in 34 convictions. 



A course in forest fire investigation was attended by 37 Department personnel 

 during March, 1966. The course was prepared and conducted by an employee 

 with experience as a Conservation Officer and Deputy Chief Ranger, and knowl- 

 edge gained through attendance at a course on investigation and enforcement 

 routines held at the Ontario Police College. 



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