FOREST FIRE DETECTION 



The visible area re-mapping programme for all lookout towers in the Province 

 was completed during the summer of 1965. Two field parties working in the 

 Northern and Mid-Western regions of the Province completed the project. Visible 

 area maps are now being used to assess district detection coverage, and as a basis 

 for relocating towers or adding to the existing tower detection system. In addition, 

 now that the project has been completed, a thorough examination of the entire 

 Provincial detection system has been instituted. 



In this regard, during the 1965 fire season a trial was conducted in the Lake 

 Superior Division of Sault Ste. Marie district whereby aerial detection patrols 

 were extended to completely replace tower detection facilities in that area. It is 

 planned to set up two additional areas for similar trials during the 1966 fire season. 

 This is a continuing programme of evaluating the present detection system, with a 

 view to the more extensive use of air patrols. 



During 1965, the overall design of the self supporting steel fire tower was 

 examined, and as a result lighter steel is now being used with a considerable 

 reduction in weight. Twelve 100-foot towers have been purchased for delivery in 

 1966 to replace deteriorated existing structures, where continuous fixed point 

 detection is considered essential. 



During September and October, an Airborne Infra-red Fire Detection System 

 was field tested by Department staff. This was part of a joint project between the 

 federal Department of Forestry, Quebec Department of Lands and Forests, 

 Gatineau Forest Protective Association and the Ontario Department of Lands and 

 Forests. 



The system was mounted on a float-equipped Beaver aircraft late in August 

 and operated in Pembroke district until mid-October. The results of, the trials were 

 very favourable and were published in a Department report. Modifications to the 

 system are under way and it is expected to continue field testing during 1966. 



Investigations are also under way to evaluate a sferics system for tracking 

 lightning storms. A thunderstorm monitor has been purchased for use in North- 

 western Ontario where it will be used in conjunction with a defense radar instal- 

 lation. Such a system delineates areas of lightning occurrence, thus reducing the 

 over-all search area for detection aircraft. 



PRESCRIBED BURNING 



The prescribed burning programme was expanded during 1965 with a total 

 of 12 burns being carried out. These 12 fires covered an area of 1,560 acres. In 

 1966 this programme will again be expanded and a target of 7,500 acres has been 

 tentatively set. 



TRAINING 



Again in 1965, three provincial instructor training courses were conducted 

 bringing the number of candidates to 205 who have now completed the four-week 

 course. The district training programme was continued and expanded by these 

 instructors in 1965. 



Three hundred and twenty-five Indians received 10 days of fire suppression 

 training during 1965, bringing the total trained to date to 890. These Indians were 

 placed on standby at a number of strategic locations across the Province to form 

 special fire suppression crews. In 1966 it is proposed to extend this standby period 

 to include the entire fire season. 



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