

A fire suppression course for Department pilots, also attended by represen- 

 tatives of commercial air services, was held at the Ontario Forest Ranger School 

 in March. At this course the pilots were instructed in water dropping tactics, fire 

 behaviour and general fire suppression techniques related to aircraft operations. 



Again in 1965 the Junior Rangers received fire suppression training and were 

 used to a limited extent for fire suppression work. 



A weather course was conducted for the first time in 1965 to instruct key fire 

 suppression personnel in fire weather analysis. 



FIRE SUPPRESSION EQUIPMENT 



A fire flailer, which is a mechanical fire line builder, was purchased and tested 

 during 1965. Field staff concerned indicated favourable results on a limited 

 number of sites. 



Sixty thousand feet of self-wetting or percolating type lined fire hose was 

 purchased and in field use during 1965. A number of different types of this hose 

 were tested. In addition, an evaluation of our present linen unlined hose has been 

 started in an attempt to arrive at an improved specification. 



The chemical water-thickener (Gelgard) was tested in September by a 

 number of drops from a Canso aircraft on a prescribed burn in Cochrane district. 

 This test was of a limited nature but the results indicated merit, and further 

 exhaustive tests are planned. A chemical induction system is presently being 

 engineered for trial use with Department water dropping aircraft. 



The water dropping system for the Otter aircraft has been completely re- 

 designed. The new system is contained within the floats and is similar to the Canso 

 installation. This new design has increased the water payload and improved the 

 overall drop pattern. The system has been test flown and it is tentatively scheduled 

 to convert the entire water dropping fleet. 



A hand-held infra-red detection scanner was developed and tested in co- 

 operation with a commercial electronic company. This instrument shows promise 

 for use in the mop-up and patrol stages of fire suppression. 



GENERAL DEVELOPMENTS 



A system of field preparedness inspections was developed in the Western 

 Region in 1965, and it is planned to extend it to other areas in 1966. The object 

 of the program is to ensure that all planning, equipment and accessories, and 

 training programmes are at an acceptable level to meet local fire control require- 

 ments. 



A Provincial nozzle crew competition was initiated in 1965 to add impetus 

 and a greater degree of perfection in this phase of fire suppression training. This 

 year's award was won by Kenora Forest District. 



Forest Pest Control 



Forest pest problems in Ontario, which involve chiefly damaging insects and 

 diseases of trees, are shared co-operatively with the federal Department of Forestry. 

 In keeping with its responsibiltiies for forest management, the Province initiates 

 and conducts all control operations on lands under its jurisdiction, and the federal 

 government conducts the surveys and research work on which control decisions are 

 based. 



Ill 



