92 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



from the previous year. Very little equipment was purchased and few improve- 

 ment projects were carried out. As a result it was necessary to abandon, so far 

 as fire protection is concerned, a large area in the northern part of the province 

 and to neglect many fires which burned on unlicensed Crown land and did not 

 threaten any communities or private property. Much equipment has been 

 condemned and replacements are urgently required. The improvement pro- 

 gramme has been suspended for several years and much work should be done at 

 once in the way of opening up trails and portages and also in developing the 

 tower and telephone system and providing adequate buildings. 



(4) Fires 



The fire season was somewhat shorter than usual. The first fires reported 

 in most districts were a week to ten days later than in the previous year, while 

 general rains in the latter part of September brought the season to an early 

 close as the month of October was mostly wet and cold. 



In the spring the water in the swamps and lakes was at a high level due to 

 good rains in the previous fall and abundant snowfall during the winter. This 

 condition along with fairly frequent rains until the green growth was established 

 resulted in a moderate spring hazard. 



The western districts again experienced an abnormally dry season similar 

 to all those since 1929. Deficient and badly spaced rainfall in June, July, 

 August and the first half of September aided by periods of very low humidity 

 and high winds resulted in an almost continuously high hazard all summer with 

 two peaks, one in July and the other in the latter part of August and early 

 September. 



The eastern districts fared better with much shorter periods of high hazard 

 due in great part to more favorable humidity and wind conditions during 

 June and July. In August, however, due to lack of rain and very warm weather 

 a severe hazard developed and continued until the middle of September. 

 From then until the end of the season there were frequent rains and the hazard 

 was low. 



Although the number of fires reported for the year 1919, is less than last 

 year's figure it is likely that it represents a record since many fires in organized 

 townships were not included this year. 



The total area burned over, namely 349,958 acres, is considerably less than 

 last year's figure. This is probably due in part to the more favorable weather 

 conditions which prevailed in Red Lake division and the eastern districts. 

 Eight fires, five of which were started by lightning, two by prospectors and 

 one by an incendiary, accounted for 205,673 acres or 58.8 per cent, of the total 

 area burned. 



The season was notable for the great number of lightning fires which 

 occurred. Of the total number of fires 24.2 per cent, were started by light- 

 ning and of the total area burned over 56.3 per cent, was burned by lightning 

 fires. 



There was a considerable reduction in the number of incendiary fires 

 which is possibly due in part to the deterrent effect of several prosecutions for 

 this offense in the last year or two and in part to reduced wages paid to extra 

 fire fighters. 



