average of 22$ for the period 1950 to 1959 Inclusive, Regardless of this 

 fact, 68 out of every 100 fires that occurred during I960 resulted from 

 persons being careless with fire in one form or another. 

 Prosecutions and Convictions A total of 31 charges vere laid under The 

 Forest Fires Prevention Act and Regulations resulting in 30 convictions. 

 Forest Fire Suppression A check on the severity of burning conditions and 

 on fire frequency in Sioux Lookout district clearly indicates that a poten- 

 tially serious fire situation developed there during July, I960. Tvo of 

 the main reasons for maintaining a low area burned was the flexibility of 

 the Department's fire fighting resources including extensive use of water- 

 dropping aircraft. 



Flexibility of the fire control organization has developed over the 

 years and proved highly successful in meeting the serious fire situation 

 that developed during July, I960 in North-western Ontario. Fire-weather 

 build-ups were watched carefully. When it appeared certain that a number 

 of lightning fires would occur in the Red Lake area, all districts were 

 alerted. A flow of trained fire fighters, aircraft and fire fighting equip- 

 ment began to move into the danger area from many parts of the province. 

 Men and equipment were dispatched in a matter of hours from points as far 

 east as Pembroke to the Sioux Lookout district. 



Aerial water dropping proved to be a very effective fire retarding 

 operation. Department Otter and Beaver aircraft, with float-mounted tanks, 

 were able to cool down and hold small fires and portions of large fires 

 giving ground crews a better opportunity to effect control. 



During the I960 fire season five helicopters were employed under 

 contract. They were based at Sudbury, Chapleau, Cochrane, Port Arthur and 

 Kenora, Helicopters have proven very effective in fire suppression work 

 ferrying men and equipment into hard-to-get-at locations around fires. 



